Prime mover and generator regulation based on output signal sensing

ABSTRACT

A rotating equipment system with in-line drive-sense circuit (DSC) electric power signal processing includes rotating equipment, in-line drive-sense circuits (DSCs), and one or more processing modules. The in-line DSCs receive input electrical power signals and generate motor drive signals for the rotating equipment. An in-line DSC receives an input electrical power signal, processes it to generate and output a motor drive signal to the rotating equipment via a single line and simultaneously senses the motor drive signal via the single line. Based on the sensing of the motor drive signal via the single line, the in-line DSC provides a digital signal to the one or more processing modules that receive and process the digital signal to determine information regarding one or more operational conditions of the rotating equipment, and based thereon, selectively facilitate one or more adaptation operations on the motor drive signal via the in-line DSC.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No.17/588,328, entitled “Prime mover and generator regulation based onoutput signal sensing,” filed Jan. 30, 2022, and scheduled to issue asU.S. Pat. No. 11,740,599 on Aug. 29, 2023, which claims prioritypursuant to 35 U. S. C. § 120 as a continuation of U.S. Utilityapplication Ser. No. 17/528,325, entitled “Motor drive input adaptationwith in-line drive-sense circuit,” filed Nov. 17, 2021, now issued asU.S. Pat. No. 11,733,665 on Aug. 22, 2023, which claims prioritypursuant to 35 U. S. C. § 120 as a continuation of U.S. Utilityapplication Ser. No. 16/856,813, entitled “Motor drive input adaptationwith in-line drive-sense circuit,” filed Apr. 23, 2020, now issued asU.S. Pat. No. 11,188,043 on Nov. 30, 2021, which claims prioritypursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation of U.S. Utilityapplication Ser. No. 16/355,922, entitled “Motor drive input adaptationwith in-line drive-sense circuit,” filed Mar. 18, 2019, now issued asU.S. Pat. No. 10,671,034 on Jun. 2, 2020, all of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety and made part of thepresent U.S. Utility patent application for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to data communication systems and moreparticularly to sensed data collection and/or communication.

Description of Related Art

Sensors are used in a wide variety of applications ranging from in-homeautomation, to industrial systems, to health care, to transportation,and so on. For example, sensors are placed in bodies, automobiles,airplanes, boats, ships, trucks, motorcycles, cell phones, televisions,touch-screens, industrial plants, appliances, motors, checkout counters,etc. for the variety of applications.

In general, a sensor converts a physical quantity into an electrical oroptical signal. For example, a sensor converts a physical phenomenon,such as a biological condition, a chemical condition, an electriccondition, an electromagnetic condition, a temperature, a magneticcondition, mechanical motion (position, velocity, acceleration, force,pressure), an optical condition, and/or a radioactivity condition, intoan electrical signal.

A sensor includes a transducer, which functions to convert one form ofenergy (e.g., force) into another form of energy (e.g., electricalsignal). There are a variety of transducers to support the variousapplications of sensors. For example, a transducer is capacitor, apiezoelectric transducer, a piezoresistive transducer, a thermaltransducer, a thermal-couple, a photoconductive transducer such as aphotoresistor, a photodiode, and/or phototransistor.

A sensor circuit is coupled to a sensor to provide the sensor with powerand to receive the signal representing the physical phenomenon from thesensor. The sensor circuit includes at least three electricalconnections to the sensor: one for a power supply; another for a commonvoltage reference (e.g., ground); and a third for receiving the signalrepresenting the physical phenomenon. The signal representing thephysical phenomenon will vary from the power supply voltage to ground asthe physical phenomenon changes from one extreme to another (for therange of sensing the physical phenomenon).

The sensor circuits provide the received sensor signals to one or morecomputing devices for processing. A computing device is known tocommunicate data, process data, and/or store data. The computing devicemay be a cellular phone, a laptop, a tablet, a personal computer (PC), awork station, a video game device, a server, and/or a data center thatsupport millions of web searches, stock trades, or on-line purchasesevery hour.

The computing device processes the sensor signals for a variety ofapplications. For example, the computing device processes sensor signalsto determine temperatures of a variety of items in a refrigerated truckduring transit. As another example, the computing device processes thesensor signals to determine a touch on a touch screen. As yet anotherexample, the computing device processes the sensor signals to determinevarious data points in a production line of a product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computingdevice in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a computingdevice in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a computingdevice in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a schematic plot diagram of a computing subsystem inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing subsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5C is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing subsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5D is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing subsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5E is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing subsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a drive center circuit inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a drivesense circuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an example of a power signal graph in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is an example of a sensor graph in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a power signalgraph in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a powersignal graph in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a powersignal graph in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a schematic block diagram of another example of a powersignal graph in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a power signalchange detection circuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of adrive-sense circuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a DSCconfigured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to a motoror a motor coupled element in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a DSCconfigured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to a motoror a motor coupled element in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a DSCconfigured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to a currentbuffer servicing a motor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a DSCconfigured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to a currentbuffer servicing a motor including based on monitoring and sensing of amotor drive signal in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a DSCconfigured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to a currentbuffer servicing a motor including based on monitoring and sensing of amotor drive signal via a coupler in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 16B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a DSCconfigured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to a currentbuffer servicing a motor including based on monitoring and sensing of amotor drive signal via a coupler and one or more additional motorrelated sensors in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a DSCconfigured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to a motoror a motor coupled element in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a DSCconfigured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to a motoror a motor coupled element in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of inductionmachine operation in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a 2-pole,3-phase induction machine in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of in-line DSCsimplemented in accordance with providing electric power signals torotating equipment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of in-lineDSCs implemented in accordance with providing electric power signals torotating equipment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of in-lineDSCs implemented in accordance with providing electric power signals torotating equipment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of in-lineDSCs implemented in accordance with providing electric power signals torotating equipment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a method forexecution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 25 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of DSC sensing inaccordance with providing electric power signal conditioning forrotating equipment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of DSC sensing inaccordance with providing electric power signal conditioning forrotating equipment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of DSC sensing inaccordance with providing electric power signal conditioning forrotating equipment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of DSC sensing inaccordance with providing electric power signal conditioning forrotating equipment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a methodfor execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 30 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of DSC sensing inaccordance with rotating equipment regulation in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 31 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of DSCsensing in accordance with rotating equipment regulation in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of DSCsensing in accordance with rotating equipment regulation in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of DSCsensing in accordance with rotating equipment regulation in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a methodfor execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 35 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a methodfor execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 36A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of DSC sensing inaccordance with motor control feedback and adaptation in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 36B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 37A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 37B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 38A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 38B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 39A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 39B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 40A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 40B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 41A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 41B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a methodfor execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 43A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of input electricpower adaptation based on in-line DSC configured simultaneously to driveand sense a drive signal to a load in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 43B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of inputelectric power adaptation based on in-line DSC configured simultaneouslyto drive and sense a drive signal to a load in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 44A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a DSCconfigured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to a load inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 44B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a DSCconfigured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to a load inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 45 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of generatoroutput adaptation with in-line DSC in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 46 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of generatoroutput adaptation with in-line DSC in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 47 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of generatoroutput adaptation with in-line DSC in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 48 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of generatoroutput adaptation with in-line DSC in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 49 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a methodfor execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 50 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of generatoroutput signal monitoring and conditioning in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 51 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of generatoroutput signal monitoring and conditioning in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 52 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of generatoroutput signal monitoring and conditioning in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 53 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of generatoroutput signal monitoring and conditioning in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 54 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a methodfor execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 55 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of prime mover andgenerator regulation based on output signal sensing in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 56 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of primemover and generator regulation based on output signal sensing inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 57 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of primemover and generator regulation based on output signal sensing inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 58 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of primemover and generator regulation based on output signal sensing inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 59 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a methodfor execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 60A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a wind turbineoperative in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 60B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of one or morewind turbines operative in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 61 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of wind turbinegeneration system control feedback and adaptation in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 62 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of windturbine generation system control feedback and adaptation in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 63 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a methodfor execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 64A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of blades of animpulse hydro turbine or steam turbine in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 64B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of blades of areaction hydro turbine or steam turbine in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 65 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a hydro turbinegeneration system operative in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 66 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of hydro turbinegeneration system control feedback and adaptation in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 67 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of hydroturbine generation system control feedback and adaptation in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 68 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a methodfor execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 69 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of steam turbinegeneration system control feedback and adaptation in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 70 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of steamturbine generation system control feedback and adaptation in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 71 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a methodfor execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 72A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a Hall effectsensor;

FIG. 72B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of single lineHall effect sensor drive and sense in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 73 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of singleline Hall effect sensor drive and sense in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 74 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of singleline Hall effect sensor drive and sense in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 75 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of multiple Halleffect sensors operative in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 76 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of multipleHall effect sensors operative in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 77 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a methodfor execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 78A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a Hall voltagesensor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 78B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a Hallvoltage sensor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 79 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a Hallvoltage sensor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 80 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a Hallvoltage sensor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 81A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a methodfor execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 81B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a methodfor execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 82A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a Hall effectsensor adapted driver circuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 82B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a Halleffect sensor adapted driver circuit in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 83A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a Halleffect sensor adapted driver circuit in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 83B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a Halleffect sensor adapted driver circuit in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 84 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a methodfor execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 85 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of inductionmachine control using Hall effect sensor adapted driver circuit inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 86 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of inductionmachine control using Hall effect sensor adapted driver circuit inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 87 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of inductionmachine control using Hall effect sensor adapted driver circuit inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 88 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of inductionmachine control using Hall effect sensor adapted driver circuit inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 89 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a methodfor execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem 10 that includes a plurality of computing. devices 12-10, one ormore servers 22, one or more databases 24, one or more networks 26, aplurality of drive-sense circuits 28, a plurality of sensors 30, and aplurality of actuators 32. Computing devices 14 include a touch screen16 with sensors and drive-sensor circuits and computing devices 18include a touch & tactic screen 20 that includes sensors, actuators, anddrive-sense circuits.

A sensor 30 functions to convert a physical input into an electricaloutput and/or an optical output. The physical input of a sensor may beone of a variety of physical input conditions. For example, the physicalcondition includes one or more of, but is not limited to, acoustic waves(e.g., amplitude, phase, polarization, spectrum, and/or wave velocity);a biological and/or chemical condition (e.g., fluid concentration,level, composition, etc.); an electric condition (e.g., charge, voltage,current, conductivity, permittivity, eclectic field, which includesamplitude, phase, and/or polarization); a magnetic condition (e.g.,flux, permeability, magnetic field, which amplitude, phase, and/orpolarization); an optical condition (e.g., refractive index,reflectivity, absorption, etc.); a thermal condition (e.g., temperature,flux, specific heat, thermal conductivity, etc.); and a mechanicalcondition (e.g., position, velocity, acceleration, force, strain,stress, pressure, torque, etc.). For example, piezoelectric sensorconverts force or pressure into an eclectic signal. As another example,a microphone converts audible acoustic waves into electrical signals.

There are a variety of types of sensors to sense the various types ofphysical conditions. Sensor types include, but are not limited to,capacitor sensors, inductive sensors, accelerometers, piezoelectricsensors, light sensors, magnetic field sensors, ultrasonic sensors,temperature sensors, infrared (IR) sensors, touch sensors, proximitysensors, pressure sensors, level sensors, smoke sensors, and gassensors. In many ways, sensors function as the interface between thephysical world and the digital world by converting real world conditionsinto digital signals that are then processed by computing devices for avast number of applications including, but not limited to, medicalapplications, production automation applications, home environmentcontrol, public safety, and so on.

The various types of sensors have a variety of sensor characteristicsthat are factors in providing power to the sensors, receiving signalsfrom the sensors, and/or interpreting the signals from the sensors. Thesensor characteristics include resistance, reactance, powerrequirements, sensitivity, range, stability, repeatability, linearity,error, response time, and/or frequency response. For example, theresistance, reactance, and/or power requirements are factors indetermining drive circuit requirements. As another example, sensitivity,stability, and/or linear are factors for interpreting the measure of thephysical condition based on the received electrical and/or opticalsignal (e.g., measure of temperature, pressure, etc.).

An actuator 32 converts an electrical input into a physical output. Thephysical output of an actuator may be one of a variety of physicaloutput conditions. For example, the physical output condition includesone or more of, but is not limited to, acoustic waves (e.g., amplitude,phase, polarization, spectrum, and/or wave velocity); a magneticcondition (e.g., flux, permeability, magnetic field, which amplitude,phase, and/or polarization); a thermal condition (e.g., temperature,flux, specific heat, thermal conductivity, etc.); and a mechanicalcondition (e.g., position, velocity, acceleration, force, strain,stress, pressure, torque, etc.). As an example, a piezoelectric actuatorconverts voltage into force or pressure. As another example, a speakerconverts electrical signals into audible acoustic waves.

An actuator 32 may be one of a variety of actuators. For example, anactuator 32 is one of a comb drive, a digital micro-mirror device, anelectric motor, an electroactive polymer, a hydraulic cylinder, apiezoelectric actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a screw jack, aservomechanism, a solenoid, a stepper motor, a shape-memory allow, athermal bimorph, and a hydraulic actuator.

The various types of actuators have a variety of actuatorscharacteristics that are factors in providing power to the actuator andsending signals to the actuators for desired performance. The actuatorcharacteristics include resistance, reactance, power requirements,sensitivity, range, stability, repeatability, linearity, error, responsetime, and/or frequency response. For example, the resistance, reactance,and power requirements are factors in determining drive circuitrequirements. As another example, sensitivity, stability, and/or linearare factors for generating the signaling to send to the actuator toobtain the desired physical output condition.

The computing devices 12, 14, and 18 may each be a portable computingdevice and/or a fixed computing device. A portable computing device maybe a social networking device, a gaming device, a cell phone, a smartphone, a digital assistant, a digital music player, a digital videoplayer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a tablet, a video gamecontroller, and/or any other portable device that includes a computingcore. A fixed computing device may be a computer (PC), a computerserver, a cable set-top box, a satellite receiver, a television set, aprinter, a fax machine, home entertainment equipment, a video gameconsole, and/or any type of home or office computing equipment. Thecomputing devices 12, 14, and 18 will be discussed in greater detailwith reference to one or more of FIGS. 2-4 .

A server 22 is a special type of computing device that is optimized forprocessing large amounts of data requests in parallel. A server 22includes similar components to that of the computing devices 12, 14,and/or 18 with more robust processing modules, more main memory, and/ormore hard drive memory (e.g., solid state, hard drives, etc.). Further,a server 22 is typically accessed remotely; as such it does notgenerally include user input devices and/or user output devices. Inaddition, a server may be a standalone separate computing device and/ormay be a cloud computing device.

A database 24 is a special type of computing device that is optimizedfor large scale data storage and retrieval. A database 24 includessimilar components to that of the computing devices 12, 14, and/or 18with more hard drive memory (e.g., solid state, hard drives, etc.) andpotentially with more processing modules and/or main memory. Further, adatabase 24 is typically accessed remotely; as such it does notgenerally include user input devices and/or user output devices. Inaddition, a database 24 may be a standalone separate computing deviceand/or may be a cloud computing device.

The network 26 includes one more local area networks (LAN) and/or one ormore wide area networks WAN), which may be a public network and/or aprivate network. A LAN may be a wireless-LAN (e.g., Wi-Fi access point,Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc.) and/or a wired network (e.g., Firewire,Ethernet, etc.). A WAN may be a wired and/or wireless WAN. For example,a LAN may be a personal home or business's wireless network and a WAN isthe Internet, cellular telephone infrastructure, and/or satellitecommunication infrastructure.

In an example of operation, computing device 12-1 communicates with aplurality of drive-sense circuits 28, which, in turn, communicate with aplurality of sensors 30. The sensors 30 and/or the drive-sense circuits28 are within the computing device 12-1 and/or external to it. Forexample, the sensors 30 may be external to the computing device 12-1 andthe drive-sense circuits are within the computing device 12-1. Asanother example, both the sensors 30 and the drive-sense circuits 28 areexternal to the computing device 12-1. When the drive-sense circuits 28are external to the computing device, they are coupled to the computingdevice 12-1 via wired and/or wireless communication links as will bediscussed in greater detail with reference to one or more of FIGS.5A-5C.

The computing device 12-1 communicates with the drive-sense circuits 28to; (a) turn them on, (b) obtain data from the sensors (individuallyand/or collectively), (c) instruct the drive sense circuit on how tocommunicate the sensed data to the computing device 12-1, (d) providesignaling attributes (e.g., DC level, AC level, frequency, power level,regulated current signal, regulated voltage signal, regulation of animpedance, frequency patterns for various sensors, different frequenciesfor different sensing applications, etc.) to use with the sensors,and/or (e) provide other commands and/or instructions.

As a specific example, the sensors 30 are distributed along a pipelineto measure flow rate and/or pressure within a section of the pipeline.The drive-sense circuits 28 have their own power source (e.g., battery,power supply, etc.) and are proximally located to their respectivesensors 30. At desired time intervals (milliseconds, seconds, minutes,hours, etc.), the drive-sense circuits 28 provide a regulated sourcesignal or a power signal to the sensors 30. An electrical characteristicof the sensor 30 affects the regulated source signal or power signal,which is reflective of the condition (e.g., the flow rate and/or thepressure) that sensor is sensing.

The drive-sense circuits 28 detect the effects on the regulated sourcesignal or power signals as a result of the electrical characteristics ofthe sensors. The drive-sense circuits 28 then generate signalsrepresentative of change to the regulated source signal or power signalbased on the detected effects on the power signals. The changes to theregulated source signals or power signals are representative of theconditions being sensed by the sensors 30.

The drive-sense circuits 28 provide the representative signals of theconditions to the computing device 12-1. A representative signal may bean analog signal or a digital signal. In either case, the computingdevice 12-1 interprets the representative signals to determine thepressure and/or flow rate at each sensor location along the pipeline.The computing device may then provide this information to the server 22,the database 24, and/or to another computing device for storing and/orfurther processing.

As another example of operation, computing device 12-2 is coupled to adrive-sense circuit 28, which is, in turn, coupled to a senor 30. Thesensor 30 and/or the drive-sense circuit 28 may be internal and/orexternal to the computing device 12-2. In this example, the sensor 30 issensing a condition that is particular to the computing device 12-2. Forexample, the sensor 30 may be a temperature sensor, an ambient lightsensor, an ambient noise sensor, etc. As described above, wheninstructed by the computing device 12-2 (which may be a default settingfor continuous sensing or at regular intervals), the drive-sense circuit28 provides the regulated source signal or power signal to the sensor 30and detects an effect to the regulated source signal or power signalbased on an electrical characteristic of the sensor. The drive-sensecircuit generates a representative signal of the affect and sends it tothe computing device 12-2.

In another example of operation, computing device 12-3 is coupled to aplurality of drive-sense circuits 28 that are coupled to a plurality ofsensors 30 and is coupled to a plurality of drive-sense circuits 28 thatare coupled to a plurality of actuators 32. The generally functionalityof the drive-sense circuits 28 coupled to the sensors 30 in accordancewith the above description.

Since an actuator 32 is essentially an inverse of a sensor in that anactuator converts an electrical signal into a physical condition, whilea sensor converts a physical condition into an electrical signal, thedrive-sense circuits 28 can be used to power actuators 32. Thus, in thisexample, the computing device 12-3 provides actuation signals to thedrive-sense circuits 28 for the actuators 32. The drive-sense circuitsmodulate the actuation signals on to power signals or regulated controlsignals, which are provided to the actuators 32. The actuators 32 arepowered from the power signals or regulated control signals and producethe desired physical condition from the modulated actuation signals.

As another example of operation, computing device 12-x is coupled to adrive-sense circuit 28 that is coupled to a sensor 30 and is coupled toa drive-sense circuit 28 that is coupled to an actuator 32. In thisexample, the sensor 30 and the actuator 32 are for use by the computingdevice 12-x. For example, the sensor 30 may be a piezoelectricmicrophone and the actuator 32 may be a piezoelectric speaker.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computingdevice 12 (e.g., any one of 12-1 through 12-x). The computing device 12includes a core control module 40, one or more processing modules 42,one or more main memories 44, cache memory 46, a video graphicsprocessing module 48, a display 50, an Input-Output (I/O) peripheralcontrol module 52, one or more input interface modules 56, one or moreoutput interface modules 58, one or more network interface modules 60,and one or more memory interface modules 62. A processing module 42 isdescribed in greater detail at the end of the detailed description ofthe invention section and, in an alternative embodiment, has a directionconnection to the main memory 44. In an alternate embodiment, the corecontrol module 40 and the I/O and/or peripheral control module 52 areone module, such as a chipset, a quick path interconnect (QPI), and/oran ultra-path interconnect (UPI).

Each of the main memories 44 includes one or more Random Access Memory(RAM) integrated circuits, or chips. For example, a main memory 44includes four DDR4 (4th generation of double data rate) RAM chips, eachrunning at a rate of 2,400 MHz. In general, the main memory 44 storesdata and operational instructions most relevant for the processingmodule 42. For example, the core control module 40 coordinates thetransfer of data and/or operational instructions from the main memory 44and the memory 64-66. The data and/or operational instructions retrievefrom memory 64-66 are the data and/or operational instructions requestedby the processing module or will most likely be needed by the processingmodule. When the processing module is done with the data and/oroperational instructions in main memory, the core control module 40coordinates sending updated data to the memory 64-66 for storage.

The memory 64-66 includes one or more hard drives, one or more solidstate memory chips, and/or one or more other large capacity storagedevices that, in comparison to cache memory and main memory devices,is/are relatively inexpensive with respect to cost per amount of datastored. The memory 64-66 is coupled to the core control module 40 viathe I/O and/or peripheral control module 52 and via one or more memoryinterface modules 62. In an embodiment, the I/O and/or peripheralcontrol module 52 includes one or more Peripheral Component Interface(PCI) buses to which peripheral components connect to the core controlmodule 40. A memory interface module 62 includes a software driver and ahardware connector for coupling a memory device to the I/O and/orperipheral control module 52. For example, a memory interface 62 is inaccordance with a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) port.

The core control module 40 coordinates data communications between theprocessing module(s) 42 and the network(s) 26 via the I/O and/orperipheral control module 52, the network interface module(s) 60, and anetwork card 68 or 70. A network card 68 or 70 includes a wirelesscommunication unit or a wired communication unit. A wirelesscommunication unit includes a wireless local area network (WLAN)communication device, a cellular communication device, a Bluetoothdevice, and/or a ZigBee communication device. A wired communication unitincludes a Gigabit LAN connection, a Firewire connection, and/or aproprietary computer wired connection. A network interface module 60includes a software driver and a hardware connector for coupling thenetwork card to the I/O and/or peripheral control module 52. Forexample, the network interface module 60 is in accordance with one ormore versions of IEEE 802.11, cellular telephone protocols, 10/100/1000Gigabit LAN protocols, etc.

The core control module 40 coordinates data communications between theprocessing module(s) 42 and input device(s) 72 via the input interfacemodule(s) 56 and the I/O and/or peripheral control module 52. An inputdevice 72 includes a keypad, a keyboard, control switches, a touchpad, amicrophone, a camera, etc. An input interface module 56 includes asoftware driver and a hardware connector for coupling an input device tothe I/O and/or peripheral control module 52. In an embodiment, an inputinterface module 56 is in accordance with one or more Universal SerialBus (USB) protocols.

The core control module 40 coordinates data communications between theprocessing module(s) 42 and output device(s) 74 via the output interfacemodule(s) 58 and the I/O and/or peripheral control module 52. An outputdevice 74 includes a speaker, etc. An output interface module 58includes a software driver and a hardware connector for coupling anoutput device to the I/O and/or peripheral control module 52. In anembodiment, an output interface module 56 is in accordance with one ormore audio codec protocols.

The processing module 42 communicates directly with a video graphicsprocessing module 48 to display data on the display 50. The display 50includes an LED (light emitting diode) display, an LCD (liquid crystaldisplay), and/or other type of display technology. The display has aresolution, an aspect ratio, and other features that affect the qualityof the display. The video graphics processing module 48 receives datafrom the processing module 42, processes the data to produce rendereddata in accordance with the characteristics of the display, and providesthe rendered data to the display 50.

FIG. 2 further illustrates sensors 30 and actuators 32 coupled todrive-sense circuits 28, which are coupled to the input interface module56 (e.g., USB port). Alternatively, one or more of the drive-sensecircuits 28 is coupled to the computing device via a wireless networkcard (e.g., WLAN) or a wired network card (e.g., Gigabit LAN). While notshown, the computing device 12 further includes a BIOS (Basic InputOutput System) memory coupled to the core control module 40.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a computingdevice 14 that includes a core control module 40, one or more processingmodules 42, one or more main memories 44, cache memory 46, a videographics processing module 48, a touch screen 16, an Input-Output (I/O)peripheral control module 52, one or more input interface modules 56,one or more output interface modules 58, one or more network interfacemodules 60, and one or more memory interface modules 62. The touchscreen 16 includes a touch screen display 80, a plurality of sensors 30,a plurality of drive-sense circuits (DSC), and a touch screen processingmodule 82.

Computing device 14 operates similarly to computing device 12 of FIG. 2with the addition of a touch screen as an input device. The touch screenincludes a plurality of sensors (e.g., electrodes, capacitor sensingcells, capacitor sensors, inductive sensor, etc.) to detect a proximaltouch of the screen. For example, when one or more fingers touches thescreen, capacitance of sensors proximal to the touch(es) are affected(e.g., impedance changes). The drive-sense circuits (DSC) coupled to theaffected sensors detect the change and provide a representation of thechange to the touch screen processing module 82, which may be a separateprocessing module or integrated into the processing module 42.

The touch screen processing module 82 processes the representativesignals from the drive-sense circuits (DSC) to determine the location ofthe touch(es). This information is inputted to the processing module 42for processing as an input. For example, a touch represents a selectionof a button on screen, a scroll function, a zoom in-out function, etc.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a computingdevice 18 that includes a core control module 40, one or more processingmodules 42, one or more main memories 44, cache memory 46, a videographics processing module 48, a touch and tactile screen 20, anInput-Output (I/O) peripheral control module 52, one or more inputinterface modules 56, one or more output interface modules 58, one ormore network interface modules 60, and one or more memory interfacemodules 62. The touch and tactile screen 20 includes a touch and tactilescreen display 90, a plurality of sensors 30, a plurality of actuators32, a plurality of drive-sense circuits (DSC), a touch screen processingmodule 82, and a tactile screen processing module 92.

Computing device 18 operates similarly to computing device 14 of FIG. 3with the addition of a tactile aspect to the screen 20 as an outputdevice. The tactile portion of the screen 20 includes the plurality ofactuators (e.g., piezoelectric transducers to create vibrations,solenoids to create movement, etc.) to provide a tactile feel to thescreen 20. To do so, the processing module creates tactile data, whichis provided to the appropriate drive-sense circuits (DSC) via thetactile screen processing module 92, which may be a stand-aloneprocessing module or integrated into processing module 42. Thedrive-sense circuits (DSC) convert the tactile data into drive-actuatesignals and provide them to the appropriate actuators to create thedesired tactile feel on the screen 20.

FIG. 5A is a schematic plot diagram of a computing subsystem 25 thatincludes a sensed data processing module a plurality of communicationmodules 61A-x, a plurality of processing modules 42A-x, a plurality ofdrive sense circuits 28, and a plurality of sensors 1-x, which may besensors 30 of FIG. 1 . The sensed data processing module 65 is one ormore processing modules within one or more servers 22 and/or one moreprocessing modules in one or more computing devices that are differentthan the computing devices in which processing modules 42A-x reside.

A drive-sense circuit 28 (or multiple drive-sense circuits), aprocessing module (e.g., 41A), and a communication module (e.g., 61A)are within a common computing device. Each grouping of a drive-sensecircuit(s), processing module, and communication module is in a separatecomputing device. A communication module 61A-x is constructed inaccordance with one or more wired communication protocol and/or one ormore wireless communication protocols that is/are in accordance with theone or more of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model, theTransmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) model, andother communication protocol module.

In an example of operation, a processing module (e.g., 42A) provides acontrol signal to its corresponding drive-sense circuit 28. Theprocessing module 42 A may generate the control signal, receive it fromthe sensed data processing module or receive an indication from thesensed data processing module 65 to generate the control signal. Thecontrol signal enables the drive-sense circuit 28 to provide a drivesignal to its corresponding sensor. The control signal may furtherinclude a reference signal having one or more frequency components tofacilitate creation of the drive signal and/or interpreting a sensedsignal received from the sensor.

Based on the control signal, the drive-sense circuit 28 provides thedrive signal to its corresponding sensor (e.g., 1) on a drive & senseline. While receiving the drive signal (e.g., a power signal, aregulated source signal, etc.), the sensor senses a physical condition1-x (e.g., acoustic waves, a biological condition, a chemical condition,an electric condition, a magnetic condition, an optical condition, athermal condition, and/or a mechanical condition). As a result of thephysical condition, an electrical characteristic (e.g., impedance,voltage, current, capacitance, inductance, resistance, reactance, etc.)of the sensor changes, which affects the drive signal. Note that if thesensor is an optical sensor, it converts a sensed optical condition intoan electrical characteristic.

The drive-sense circuit 28 detects the effect on the drive signal viathe drive & sense line and processes the affect to produce a signalrepresentative of power change, which may be an analog or digitalsignal. The processing module 42A receives the signal representative ofpower change, interprets it, and generates a value representing thesensed physical condition. For example, if the sensor is sensingpressure, the value representing the sensed physical condition is ameasure of pressure (e.g., x PSI (pounds per square inch)).

In accordance with a sensed data process function (e.g., algorithm,application, etc.), the sensed data processing module 65 gathers thevalues representing the sensed physical conditions from the processingmodules. Since the sensors 1-x may be the same type of sensor (e.g., apressure sensor), may each be different sensors, or a combinationthereof; the sensed physical conditions may be the same, may each bedifferent, or a combination thereof. The sensed data processing module65 processes the gathered values to produce one or more desired results.For example, if the computing subsystem 25 is monitoring pressure alonga pipeline, the processing of the gathered values indicates that thepressures are all within normal limits or that one or more of the sensedpressures is not within normal limits.

As another example, if the computing subsystem 25 is used in amanufacturing facility, the sensors are sensing a variety of physicalconditions, such as acoustic waves (e.g., for sound proofing, soundgeneration, ultrasound monitoring, etc.), a biological condition (e.g.,a bacterial contamination, etc.) a chemical condition (e.g.,composition, gas concentration, etc.), an electric condition (e.g.,current levels, voltage levels, electro-magnetic interference, etc.), amagnetic condition (e.g., induced current, magnetic field strength,magnetic field orientation, etc.), an optical condition (e.g., ambientlight, infrared, etc.), a thermal condition (e.g., temperature, etc.),and/or a mechanical condition (e.g., physical position, force, pressure,acceleration, etc.).

The computing subsystem 25 may further include one or more actuators inplace of one or more of the sensors and/or in addition to the sensors.When the computing subsystem 25 includes an actuator, the correspondingprocessing module provides an actuation control signal to thecorresponding drive-sense circuit 28. The actuation control signalenables the drive-sense circuit 28 to provide a drive signal to theactuator via a drive & actuate line (e.g., similar to the drive & senseline, but for the actuator). The drive signal includes one or morefrequency components and/or amplitude components to facilitate a desiredactuation of the actuator.

In addition, the computing subsystem 25 may include an actuator andsensor working in concert. For example, the sensor is sensing thephysical condition of the actuator. In this example, a drive-sensecircuit provides a drive signal to the actuator and another drive sensesignal provides the same drive signal, or a scaled version of it, to thesensor. This allows the sensor to provide near immediate and continuoussensing of the actuator's physical condition. This further allows forthe sensor to operate at a first frequency and the actuator to operateat a second frequency.

In an embodiment, the computing subsystem is a stand-alone system for awide variety of applications (e.g., manufacturing, pipelines, testing,monitoring, security, etc.). In another embodiment, the computingsubsystem 25 is one subsystem of a plurality of subsystems forming alarger system. For example, different subsystems are employed based ongeographic location. As a specific example, the computing subsystem 25is deployed in one section of a factory and another computing subsystemis deployed in another part of the factory. As another example,different subsystems are employed based function of the subsystems. As aspecific example, one subsystem monitors a city's traffic lightoperation and another subsystem monitors the city's sewage treatmentplants.

Regardless of the use and/or deployment of the computing system, thephysical conditions it is sensing, and/or the physical conditions it isactuating, each sensor and each actuator (if included) is driven andsensed by a single line as opposed to separate drive and sense lines.This provides many advantages including, but not limited to, lower powerrequirements, better ability to drive high impedance sensors, lower lineto line interference, and/or concurrent sensing functions.

FIG. 5B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing subsystem 25 that includes a sensed data processing module 65,a communication module 61, a plurality of processing modules 42A-x, aplurality of drive sense circuits 28, and a plurality of sensors 1-x,which may be sensors 30 of FIG. 1 . The sensed data processing module 65is one or more processing modules within one or more servers 22 and/orone more processing modules in one or more computing devices that aredifferent than the computing device, devices, in which processingmodules 42A-x reside.

In an embodiment, the drive-sense circuits 28, the processing modules,and the communication module are within a common computing device. Forexample, the computing device includes a central processing unit thatincludes a plurality of processing modules. The functionality andoperation of the sensed data processing module 65, the communicationmodule 61, the processing modules 42A-x, the drive sense circuits 28,and the sensors 1-x are as discussed with reference to FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing subsystem 25 that includes a sensed data processing module 65,a communication module 61, a processing module 42, a plurality of drivesense circuits 28, and a plurality of sensors 1-x, which may be sensors30 of FIG. 1 . The sensed data processing module 65 is one or moreprocessing modules within one or more servers 22 and/or one moreprocessing modules in one or more computing devices that are differentthan the computing device in which the processing module 42 resides.

In an embodiment, the drive-sense circuits 28, the processing module,and the communication module are within a common computing device. Thefunctionality and operation of the sensed data processing module 65, thecommunication module 61, the processing module 42, the drive sensecircuits 28, and the sensors 1-x are as discussed with reference to FIG.5A.

FIG. 5D is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing subsystem 25 that includes a processing module 42, a referencesignal circuit 100, a plurality of drive sense circuits 28, and aplurality of sensors 30. The processing module 42 includes a drive-senseprocessing block 104, a drive-sense control block 102, and a referencecontrol block 106. Each block 102-106 of the processing module 42 may beimplemented via separate modules of the processing module, may be acombination of software and hardware within the processing module,and/or may be field programmable modules within the processing module42.

In an example of operation, the drive-sense control block 104 generatesone or more control signals to activate one or more of the drive-sensecircuits 28. For example, the drive-sense control block 102 generates acontrol signal that enables of the drive-sense circuits 28 for a givenperiod of time (e.g., 1 second, 1 minute, etc.). As another example, thedrive-sense control block 102 generates control signals to sequentiallyenable the drive-sense circuits 28. As yet another example, thedrive-sense control block 102 generates a series of control signals toperiodically enable the drive-sense circuits 28 (e.g., enabled onceevery second, every minute, every hour, etc.).

Continuing with the example of operation, the reference control block106 generates a reference control signal that it provides to thereference signal circuit 100. The reference signal circuit 100generates, in accordance with the control signal, one or more referencesignals for the drive-sense circuits 28. For example, the control signalis an enable signal, which, in response, the reference signal circuit100 generates a pre-programmed reference signal that it provides to thedrive-sense circuits 28. In another example, the reference signalcircuit 100 generates a unique reference signal for each of thedrive-sense circuits 28. In yet another example, the reference signalcircuit 100 generates a first unique reference signal for each of thedrive-sense circuits 28 in a first group and generates a second uniquereference signal for each of the drive-sense circuits 28 in a secondgroup.

The reference signal circuit 100 may be implemented in a variety ofways. For example, the reference signal circuit 100 includes a DC(direct current) voltage generator, an AC voltage generator, and avoltage combining circuit. The DC voltage generator generates a DCvoltage at a first level and the AC voltage generator generates an ACvoltage at a second level, which is less than or equal to the firstlevel. The voltage combining circuit combines the DC and AC voltages toproduce the reference signal. As examples, the reference signal circuit100 generates a reference signal similar to the signals shown in FIG. 7, which will be subsequently discussed.

As another example, the reference signal circuit 100 includes a DCcurrent generator, an AC current generator, and a current combiningcircuit. The DC current generator generates a DC current a first currentlevel and the AC current generator generates an AC current at a secondcurrent level, which is less than or equal to the first current level.The current combining circuit combines the DC and AC currents to producethe reference signal.

Returning to the example of operation, the reference signal circuit 100provides the reference signal, or signals, to the drive-sense circuits28. When a drive-sense circuit 28 is enabled via a control signal fromthe drive sense control block 102, it provides a drive signal to itscorresponding sensor 30. As a result of a physical condition, anelectrical characteristic of the sensor is changed, which affects thedrive signal. Based on the detected effect on the drive signal and thereference signal, the drive-sense circuit 28 generates a signalrepresentative of the effect on the drive signal.

The drive-sense circuit provides the signal representative of the effecton the drive signal to the drive-sense processing block 104. Thedrive-sense processing block 104 processes the representative signal toproduce a sensed value 97 of the physical condition (e.g., a digitalvalue that represents a specific temperature, a specific pressure level,etc.). The processing module 42 provides the sensed value 97 to anotherapplication running on the computing device, to another computingdevice, and/or to a server 22.

FIG. 5E is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing subsystem 25 that includes a processing module 42, a pluralityof drive sense circuits 28, and a plurality of sensors 30. Thisembodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5D with thefunctionality of the drive-sense processing block 104, a drive-sensecontrol block 102, and a reference control block 106 shown in greaterdetail. For instance, the drive-sense control block 102 includesindividual enable/disable blocks 102-1 through 102-y. An enable/disableblock functions to enable or disable a corresponding drive-sense circuitin a manner as discussed above with reference to FIG. 5D.

The drive-sense processing block 104 includes variance determiningmodules 104-1 a through y and variance interpreting modules 104-2 athrough y. For example, variance determining module 104-1 a receives,from the corresponding drive-sense circuit 28, a signal representativeof a physical condition sensed by a sensor. The variance determiningmodule 104-1 a functions to determine a difference from the signalrepresenting the sensed physical condition with a signal representing aknown, or reference, physical condition. The variance interpretingmodule 104-1 b interprets the difference to determine a specific valuefor the sensed physical condition.

As a specific example, the variance determining module 104-1 a receivesa digital signal of 1001 0110 (150 in decimal) that is representative ofa sensed physical condition (e.g., temperature) sensed by a sensor fromthe corresponding drive-sense circuit 28. With 8-bits, there are 2⁸(256) possible signals representing the sensed physical condition.Assume that the units for temperature is Celsius and a digital value of0100 0000 (64 in decimal) represents the known value for 25 degreeCelsius. The variance determining module 104-b 1 determines thedifference between the digital signal representing the sensed value(e.g., 1001 0110, 150 in decimal) and the known signal value of (e.g.,0100 0000, 64 in decimal), which is 0011 0000 (86 in decimal). Thevariance determining module 104-b 1 then determines the sensed valuebased on the difference and the known value. In this example, the sensedvalue equals 25+86*(100/256)=25+33.6=58.6 degrees Celsius.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a drive center circuit 28-acoupled to a sensor 30. The drive sense-sense circuit 28 includes apower source circuit 110 and a power signal change detection circuit112. The sensor 30 includes one or more transducers that have varyingelectrical characteristics (e.g., capacitance, inductance, impedance,current, voltage, etc.) based on varying physical conditions 114 (e.g.,pressure, temperature, biological, chemical, etc.), or vice versa (e.g.,an actuator).

The power source circuit 110 is operably coupled to the sensor 30 and,when enabled (e.g., from a control signal from the processing module 42,power is applied, a switch is closed, a reference signal is received,etc.) provides a power signal 116 to the sensor 30. The power sourcecircuit 110 may be a voltage supply circuit (e.g., a battery, a linearregulator, an unregulated DC-to-DC converter, etc.) to produce avoltage-based power signal, a current supply circuit (e.g., a currentsource circuit, a current mirror circuit, etc.) to produce acurrent-based power signal, or a circuit that provide a desired powerlevel to the sensor and substantially matches impedance of the sensor.The power source circuit 110 generates the power signal 116 to include aDC (direct current) component and/or an oscillating component.

When receiving the power signal 116 and when exposed to a condition 114,an electrical characteristic of the sensor affects 118 the power signal.When the power signal change detection circuit 112 is enabled, itdetects the affect 118 on the power signal as a result of the electricalcharacteristic of the sensor. For example, the power signal is a 1.5voltage signal and, under a first condition, the sensor draws 1 milliampof current, which corresponds to an impedance of 1.5 K Ohms. Under asecond conditions, the power signal remains at 1.5 volts and the currentincreases to 1.5 milliamps. As such, from condition 1 to condition 2,the impedance of the sensor changed from 1.5 K Ohms to 1 K Ohms. Thepower signal change detection circuit 112 determines this change andgenerates a representative signal 120 of the change to the power signal.

As another example, the power signal is a 1.5 voltage signal and, undera first condition, the sensor draws 1 milliamp of current, whichcorresponds to an impedance of 1.5 K Ohms. Under a second conditions,the power signal drops to 1.3 volts and the current increases to 1.3milliamps. As such, from condition 1 to condition 2, the impedance ofthe sensor changed from 1.5 K Ohms to 1 K Ohms. The power signal changedetection circuit 112 determines this change and generates arepresentative signal 120 of the change to the power signal.

The power signal 116 includes a DC component 122 and/or an oscillatingcomponent 124 as shown in FIG. 7 . The oscillating component 124includes a sinusoidal signal, a square wave signal, a triangular wavesignal, a multiple level signal (e.g., has varying magnitude over timewith respect to the DC component), and/or a polygonal signal (e.g., hasa symmetrical or asymmetrical polygonal shape with respect to the DCcomponent). Note that the power signal is shown without affect from thesensor as the result of a condition or changing condition.

In an embodiment, power generating circuit 110 varies frequency of theoscillating component 124 of the power signal 116 so that it can betuned to the impedance of the sensor and/or to be off-set in frequencyfrom other power signals in a system. For example, a capacitancesensor's impedance decreases with frequency. As such, if the frequencyof the oscillating component is too high with respect to thecapacitance, the capacitor looks like a short and variances incapacitances will be missed. Similarly, if the frequency of theoscillating component is too low with respect to the capacitance, thecapacitor looks like an open and variances in capacitances will bemissed.

In an embodiment, the power generating circuit 110 varies magnitude ofthe DC component 122 and/or the oscillating component 124 to improveresolution of sensing and/or to adjust power consumption of sensing. Inaddition, the power generating circuit 110 generates the drive signal110 such that the magnitude of the oscillating component 124 is lessthan magnitude of the DC component 122.

FIG. 6A is a schematic block diagram of a drive center circuit 28-a 1coupled to a sensor 30. The drive sense-sense circuit 28-a 1 includes asignal source circuit 111, a signal change detection circuit 113, and apower source 115. The power source 115 (e.g., a battery, a power supply,a current source, etc.) generates a voltage and/or current that iscombined with a signal 117, which is produced by the signal sourcecircuit 111. The combined signal is supplied to the sensor 30.

The signal source circuit 111 may be a voltage supply circuit (e.g., abattery, a linear regulator, an unregulated DC-to-DC converter, etc.) toproduce a voltage-based signal 117, a current supply circuit (e.g., acurrent source circuit, a current mirror circuit, etc.) to produce acurrent-based signal 117, or a circuit that provide a desired powerlevel to the sensor and substantially matches impedance of the sensor.The signal source circuit 111 generates the signal 117 to include a DC(direct current) component and/or an oscillating component.

When receiving the combined signal (e.g., signal 117 and power from thepower source) and when exposed to a condition 114, an electricalcharacteristic of the sensor affects 119 the signal. When the signalchange detection circuit 113 is enabled, it detects the affect 119 onthe signal as a result of the electrical characteristic of the sensor.

FIG. 8 is an example of a sensor graph that plots an electricalcharacteristic versus a condition. The sensor has a substantially linearregion in which an incremental change in a condition produces acorresponding incremental change in the electrical characteristic. Thegraph shows two types of electrical characteristics: one that increasesas the condition increases and the other that decreases and thecondition increases. As an example of the first type, impedance of atemperature sensor increases and the temperature increases. As anexample of a second type, a capacitance touch sensor decreases incapacitance as a touch is sensed.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a power signalgraph in which the electrical characteristic or change in electricalcharacteristic of the sensor is affecting the power signal. In thisexample, the effect of the electrical characteristic or change inelectrical characteristic of the sensor reduced the DC component but hadlittle to no effect on the oscillating component. For example, theelectrical characteristic is resistance. In this example, the resistanceor change in resistance of the sensor decreased the power signal,inferring an increase in resistance for a relatively constant current.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a powersignal graph in which the electrical characteristic or change inelectrical characteristic of the sensor is affecting the power signal.In this example, the effect of the electrical characteristic or changein electrical characteristic of the sensor reduced magnitude of theoscillating component but had little to no effect on the DC component.For example, the electrical characteristic is impedance of a capacitorand/or an inductor. In this example, the impedance or change inimpedance of the sensor decreased the magnitude of the oscillatingsignal component, inferring an increase in impedance for a relativelyconstant current.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a powersignal graph in which the electrical characteristic or change inelectrical characteristic of the sensor is affecting the power signal.In this example, the effect of the electrical characteristic or changein electrical characteristic of the sensor shifted frequency of theoscillating component but had little to no effect on the DC component.For example, the electrical characteristic is reactance of a capacitorand/or an inductor. In this example, the reactance or change inreactance of the sensor shifted frequency of the oscillating signalcomponent, inferring an increase in reactance (e.g., sensor isfunctioning as an integrator or phase shift circuit).

FIG. 11A is a schematic block diagram of another example of a powersignal graph in which the electrical characteristic or change inelectrical characteristic of the sensor is affecting the power signal.In this example, the effect of the electrical characteristic or changein electrical characteristic of the sensor changes the frequency of theoscillating component but had little to no effect on the DC component.For example, the sensor includes two transducers that oscillate atdifferent frequencies. The first transducer receives the power signal ata frequency of f₁ and converts it into a first physical condition. Thesecond transducer is stimulated by the first physical condition tocreate an electrical signal at a different frequency f₂. In thisexample, the first and second transducers of the sensor change thefrequency of the oscillating signal component, which allows for moregranular sensing and/or a broader range of sensing.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a power signalchange detection circuit 112 receiving the affected power signal 118 andthe power signal 116 as generated to produce, therefrom, the signalrepresentative 120 of the power signal change. The affect 118 on thepower signal is the result of an electrical characteristic and/or changein the electrical characteristic of a sensor; a few examples of theaffects are shown in FIGS. 8-11A.

In an embodiment, the power signal change detection circuit 112 detect achange in the DC component 122 and/or the oscillating component 124 ofthe power signal 116. The power signal change detection circuit 112 thengenerates the signal representative 120 of the change to the powersignal based on the change to the power signal. For example, the changeto the power signal results from the impedance of the sensor and/or achange in impedance of the sensor. The representative signal 120 isreflective of the change in the power signal and/or in the change in thesensor's impedance.

In an embodiment, the power signal change detection circuit 112 isoperable to detect a change to the oscillating component at a frequency,which may be a phase shift, frequency change, and/or change in magnitudeof the oscillating component. The power signal change detection circuit112 is also operable to generate the signal representative of the changeto the power signal based on the change to the oscillating component atthe frequency. The power signal change detection circuit 112 is furtheroperable to provide feedback to the power source circuit 110 regardingthe oscillating component. The feedback allows the power source circuit110 to regulate the oscillating component at the desired frequency,phase, and/or magnitude.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a drivesense circuit 28-b includes a change detection circuit 150, a regulationcircuit 152, and a power source circuit 154. The drive-sense circuit28-b is coupled to the sensor which includes a transducer that hasvarying electrical characteristics (e.g., capacitance, inductance,impedance, current, voltage, etc.) based on varying physical conditions114 (e.g., pressure, temperature, biological, chemical, etc.).

The power source circuit 154 is operably coupled to the sensor 30 and,when enabled (e.g., from a control signal from the processing module 42,power is applied, a switch is closed, a reference signal is received,etc.) provides a power signal 158 to the sensor 30. The power sourcecircuit 154 may be a voltage supply circuit (e.g., a battery, a linearregulator, an unregulated DC-to-DC converter, etc.) to produce avoltage-based power signal or a current supply circuit (e.g., a currentsource circuit, a current mirror circuit, etc.) to produce acurrent-based power signal. The power source circuit 154 generates thepower signal 158 to include a DC (direct current) component and anoscillating component.

When receiving the power signal 158 and when exposed to a condition 114,an electrical characteristic of the sensor affects 160 the power signal.When the change detection circuit 150 is enabled, it detects the affect160 on the power signal as a result of the electrical characteristic ofthe sensor 30. The change detection circuit 150 is further operable togenerate a signal 120 that is representative of change to the powersignal based on the detected effect on the power signal.

The regulation circuit 152, when its enabled, generates regulationsignal 156 to regulate the DC component to a desired DC level and/orregulate the oscillating component to a desired oscillating level (e.g.,magnitude, phase, and/or frequency) based on the signal 120 that isrepresentative of the change to the power signal. The power sourcecircuit 154 utilizes the regulation signal 156 to keep the power signalat a desired setting 158 regardless of the electrical characteristic ofthe sensor. In this manner, the amount of regulation is indicative ofthe affect the electrical characteristic had on the power signal.

In an example, the power source circuit 158 is a DC-DC converteroperable to provide a regulated power signal having DC and ACcomponents. The change detection circuit 150 is a comparator and theregulation circuit 152 is a pulse width modulator to produce theregulation signal 156. The comparator compares the power signal 158,which is affected by the sensor, with a reference signal that includesDC and AC components. When the electrical characteristics is at a firstlevel (e.g., a first impedance), the power signal is regulated toprovide a voltage and current such that the power signal substantiallyresembles the reference signal.

When the electrical characteristics changes to a second level (e.g., asecond impedance), the change detection circuit 150 detects a change inthe DC and/or AC component of the power signal 158 and generates therepresentative signal 120, which indicates the changes. The regulationcircuit 152 detects the change in the representative signal 120 andcreates the regulation signal to substantially remove the effect on thepower signal. The regulation of the power signal 158 may be done byregulating the magnitude of the DC and/or AC components, by adjustingthe frequency of AC component, and/or by adjusting the phase of the ACcomponent.

With respect to the operation of various drive-sense circuits asdescribed herein and/or their equivalents, note that the operation ofsuch a drive-sense circuit is operable simultaneously to drive and sensea signal via a single line. In comparison to switched, time-divided,time-multiplexed, etc. operation in which there is switching betweendriving and sensing (e.g., driving at first time, sensing at secondtime, etc.) of different respective signals at separate and distincttimes, the drive-sense circuit is operable simultaneously to performboth driving and sensing of a signal. In some examples, suchsimultaneous driving and sensing is performed via a single line using adrive-sense circuit.

In addition, other alternative implementations of various drive-sensecircuits are described in U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No.16/113,379, entitled “DRIVE SENSE CIRCUIT WITH DRIVE-SENSE LINE,”(Attorney Docket No. SGS00009), filed Aug. 27, 2018, pending. Anyinstantiation of a drive-sense circuit as described herein may also beimplemented using any of the various implementations of variousdrive-sense circuits described in U.S. Utility patent application Ser.No. 16/113,379.

In addition, note that the one or more signals provided from adrive-sense circuit (DSC) may be of any of a variety of types. Forexample, such a signal may be based on encoding of one or more bits togenerate one or more coded bits used to generate modulation data (orgenerally, data). For example, a device is configured to perform forwarderror correction (FEC) and/or error checking and correction (ECC) codeof one or more bits to generate one or more coded bits. Examples of FECand/or ECC may include turbo code, convolutional code, turbo trelliscoded modulation (TTCM), low density parity check (LDPC) code,Reed-Solomon (RS) code, BCH (Bose and Ray-Chaudhuri, and Hocquenghem)code, binary convolutional code (BCC), Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC),and/or any other type of ECC and/or FEC code and/or combination thereof,etc. Note that more than one type of ECC and/or FEC code may be used inany of various implementations including concatenation (e.g., first ECCand/or FEC code followed by second ECC and/or FEC code, etc. such asbased on an inner code/outer code architecture, etc.), parallelarchitecture (e.g., such that first ECC and/or FEC code operates onfirst bits while second ECC and/or FEC code operates on second bits,etc.), and/or any combination thereof.

Also, the one or more coded bits may then undergo modulation or symbolmapping to generate modulation symbols (e.g., the modulation symbols mayinclude data intended for one or more recipient devices, components,elements, etc.). Note that such modulation symbols may be generatedusing any of various types of modulation coding techniques. Examples ofsuch modulation coding techniques may include binary phase shift keying(BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), 8-phase shift keying(PSK), 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), 32 amplitude and phaseshift keying (APSK), etc., uncoded modulation, and/or any other desiredtypes of modulation including higher ordered modulations that mayinclude even greater number of constellation points (e.g., 1024 QAM,etc.).

In addition, note that a signal provided from a DSC may be of a uniquefrequency that is different from signals provided from other DSCs. Also,a signal provided from a DSC may include multiple frequenciesindependently or simultaneously. The frequency of the signal can behopped on a pre-arranged pattern. In some examples, a handshake isestablished between one or more DSCs and one or more processing module(e.g., one or more controllers) such that the one or more DSC is/aredirected by the one or more processing modules regarding which frequencyor frequencies and/or which other one or more characteristics of the oneor more signals to use at one or more respective times and/or in one ormore particular situations.

With respect to any signal that is driven and simultaneously detected bya DSC, note that any additional signal that is coupled into a line, anelectrode, a touch sensor, a bus, a communication link, an electricalcoupling or connection, etc. associated with that DSC is alsodetectable. For example, a DSC that is associated with such a line, anelectrode, a touch sensor, a bus, a communication link, an electricalcoupling or connection, etc. is configured to detect any signal from oneor more other lines, electrodes, a touch sensors, a buses, acommunication links, electrical couplings or connections, etc. that getcoupled into that line, electrode, touch sensor, bus, communicationlink, electrical coupling or connection, etc.

Note that the different respective signals that are driven andsimultaneously sensed by one or more DSCs may be are differentiated fromone another. Appropriate filtering and processing can identify thevarious signals given their differentiation, orthogonality to oneanother, difference in frequency, etc. Other examples described hereinand their equivalents operate using any of a number of differentcharacteristics other than or in addition to frequency.

Moreover, with respect to any embodiment, diagram, example, etc. thatincludes more than one DSC, note that the DSCs may be implemented in avariety of manners. In one example, all of the DSCs may be of the sametype, implementation, configuration, etc. In another example, the firstDSC may be of a first type, implementation, configuration, etc., and asecond DSC may be of a second type, implementation, configuration, etc.that is different than the first DSC. Considering a specific example, afirst DSC may be implemented to detect change of impedance associatedwith a line, an electrode, a touch sensor, a bus, a communication link,an electrical coupling or connection, etc. associated with that firstDSC, while a second DSC may be implemented to detect change of voltageassociated with a line, an electrode, a touch sensor, a bus, acommunication link, an electrical coupling or connection, etc.associated with that second DSC. In addition, note that a third DSC maybe implemented to detect change of a current associated with a line, anelectrode, a touch sensor, a bus, a communication link, an electricalcoupling or connection, etc. associated with that DSC. In general, whilea common reference may be used generally to show a DSC or multipleinstantiations of a DSC within a given embodiment, diagram, example,etc., note that any particular DSC may be implemented in accordance withany manner as described herein, such as described in U.S. Utility patentapplication Ser. No. 16/113,379, etc. and/or their equivalents.

Note that certain of the following diagrams show one or more processingmodules. In certain instances, the one or more processing modules isconfigured to communicate with and interact with one or more otherdevices including one or more of DSCs, one or more components associatedwith a DSC, input electric power, output electric power, one or morecomponents associated with a motor or motor coupled element, one or morecomponents associated with a generator or generator coupled element, oneor more turbines, one or more loads, etc. Note that any suchimplementation of one or more processing modules may include integratedmemory and/or be coupled to other memory. At least some of the memorystores operational instructions to be executed by the one or moreprocessing modules. In addition, note that the one or more processingmodules may interface with one or more other devices, components,elements, etc. via one or more communication links, networks,communication pathways, channels, etc.

In addition, when a DSC is implemented to communicate with and interactwith another element, the DSC is configured simultaneously to transmitand receive one or more signals with the element. For example, a DSC isconfigured simultaneously to drive one or more signals to the oneelement and to sense the one or more signals via the one element. Duringdriving or transmission of a signal from a DSC, that same DSC isconfigured simultaneously to sense the signal being driven ortransmitted from the DSC and any other signal may be coupled into thesignal that is being driven or transmitted from the DSC.

FIG. 14A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 1401 of a DSCconfigured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to a motoror a motor coupled element in accordance with the present invention. Inthis diagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configured tocommunicate with and interact with a drive-sense circuit (DSC) 28. Theone or more processing modules 42 is coupled to a DSC 28. Note that theone or more processing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/orbe coupled to other memory. At least some of the memory storesoperational instructions to be executed by the one or more processingmodules 42. In addition, note that the one or more processing modules 42may interface with one or more other devices, components, elements, etc.via one or more communication links, networks, communication pathways,channels, etc.

The DSC is configured to provide a drive signal to a motor or a motorcoupled element shown as reference numeral 1440. Note that such a motormay be of any of a variety of types including a DC motor, anAC/induction motor, a DC brushless motor (DCBM), etc. Also, note thatsuch motor coupled elements may be of any of a variety of typesincluding a motor controller, a current buffer, a sensor or monitorassociated with the motor, an actuator configured to operate thecomponent associated with the motor such as a heater, an A/C component,a vent, a fan, heating venting air conditioning (HVAC) components, etc.and/or any other element implemented with an associated with such amotor.

In general, any motor or motor coupled element 1440 may be implementedand provided a drive signal from the DSC 28. In this diagram, the DSC 28operates to provide the drive signal to the motor or motor coupledelement 1440 and also simultaneously to detect any effect on the drivesignal. In this diagram, input electric power is provided to the DSC 28and the DSC 28 is implemented to perform in-line processing of the inputelectric power signal to generate the drive signal that is provided tothe motor or motor coupled element 1440. Note that the power supplyreference input 1405 may also be provided to the DSC 1420 in certainexamples. In such examples, the DSC 28 is configured to process theinput electric power signal based on power supply reference input 1405.Note also that the power supply reference input 1405 may be providedfrom the one or more processing modules 42 in some examples. Thisdiagram shows a general configuration by which a DSC 28 is implementedto receive an input electric power signal and to generate a drive signalto be provided to a motor or motor coupled element 1440. The DSC 28 ofthis diagram may be viewed as being configured to perform in-lineprocessing of the input electric drive signal to generate the drivesignal that is provided to the motor or motor coupled element 1440.

FIG. 14B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 1402 of aDSC configured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to amotor or a motor coupled element in accordance with the presentinvention. In this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to communicate with and interact with a drive-sense circuit(DSC) 28-14. The one or more processing modules 42 is coupled to a DSC28-14 and is operable to provide control to and communication with theDSC 28-14. Note that the one or more processing modules 42 may includeintegrated memory and/or be coupled to other memory. At least some ofthe memory stores operational instructions to be executed by the one ormore processing modules 42. In addition, note that the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may interface with one or more other devices,components, elements, etc. via one or more communication links,networks, communication pathways, channels, etc.

In this diagram, DSC 28-14 includes a power source circuit 1410 that isconfigured to receive an input electric power signal and a drive signalchange detection circuit 1412. The drive signal change detection circuit1412 includes a power source reference circuit 1412 a and a comparator1412 b. With respect to this diagram as well as others, note than anycomparator may alternatively implemented as an operational amplifier asdesired in certain examples. For example, while come examples areimplemented such that a comparator operates to output a binary signal(e.g., either a 1 or a 0), an operational amplifier may alternatively beimplemented to output any signal within a range of signals as may bedesired in certain applications. In some examples, the power sourcecircuit 1412 may be an independent current source, a dependent currentsource, a current mirror circuit, etc., or alternatively, an independentvoltage source, a dependent voltage source, etc.

In addition, one or more processing modules 42 is configured to interactwith and communicate with the DSC 28-14. In some examples, the one ormore processing modules 42 is configured to provide control signals toone or more of the components within the DSC 28-14. In addition, the oneor more processing modules 42 is configured to receive information fromDSC 28-14. The one or more processing modules 42 is configured toprocess information that is received and to direct operation of one ormore of the components within the DSC 28-14.

In an example of operation based on a current related implementation ofthe DSC 28-14, the power source reference circuit 1412 a provides acurrent reference with at least one of DC and oscillating components tothe power source circuit 1410. The current source generates a current asthe drive signal based on the current reference. An electricalcharacteristic of the motor or motor coupled element 1440 has an effecton the current drive signal. For example, if the impedance of the motoror motor coupled element 1440 decreases and the current drive signalremains substantially unchanged, the voltage across the motor or motorcoupled element 1440 is decreased.

The comparator 1412 b compares the current reference with the affecteddrive signal to produce a signal that is representative of the change tothe drive signal. For example, the current reference signal correspondsto a given current (I) times a given impedance (Z). The currentreference generates the drive signal to produce the given current (I).If the impedance of the motor or motor coupled element 1440substantially matches the given impedance (Z), then the comparator'soutput is reflective of the impedances substantially matching. If theimpedance of the motor or motor coupled element 1440 is greater than thegiven impedance (Z), then the comparator's output is indicative of howmuch greater the impedance of the motor or motor coupled element 1440 isthan that of the given impedance (Z). If the impedance of the motor ormotor coupled element 1440 is less than the given impedance (Z), thenthe comparator's output is indicative of how much less the impedance ofthe motor or motor coupled element 1440 is than that of the givenimpedance (Z).

In an example of operation based on a voltage related implementation ofthe DSC 28-14, the power source reference circuit 1412 a provides avoltage reference with at least one of DC and oscillating components tothe power source circuit 1410. The power source circuit 1410 generates avoltage as the drive signal based on the voltage reference. Anelectrical characteristic of the motor or motor coupled element 1440 hasan effect on the voltage drive signal. For example, if the impedance ofthe sensor decreases and the voltage drive signal remains substantiallyunchanged, the current through the sensor is increased.

The comparator 1412 b compares the voltage reference with the affecteddrive signal to produce the signal that is representative of the changeto the drive signal. For example, the voltage reference signalcorresponds to a given voltage (V) divided by a given impedance (Z). Thevoltage reference generates the drive signal to produce the givenvoltage (V). If the impedance of the motor or motor coupled element 1440substantially matches the given impedance (Z), then the comparator'soutput is reflective of the impedances substantially matching. If theimpedance of the motor or motor coupled element 1440 is greater than thegiven impedance (Z), then the comparator's output is indicative of howmuch greater the impedance of the motor or motor coupled element 1440 isthan that of the given impedance (Z). If the impedance of the motor ormotor coupled element 1440 is less than the given impedance (Z), thenthe comparator's output is indicative of how much less the impedance ofthe motor or motor coupled element 1440 is than that of the givenimpedance (Z).

Generally speaking, this diagram shows yet another example by which aDSC may be implemented to perform in-line processing of the inputelectric drive signal to generate the drive signal that is provided tothe motor or motor coupled element 1440. However, note that any of avariety of different implementations of the DSC may be made to generatea drive signal to be provided to a motor or motor coupled element 1440while simultaneously monitoring and sensing that drive signal. Inaddition, with respect to this diagram and also with respect to otherscorresponding to various implementations of DSCs, note that such animplementation of a DSC may be adapted to different applications. Thisdiagram shows of a DSC in application for a motor or motor coupledelement 1440, but such an implementation of a DSC may alternative beadapted for other applications as well such that the drive signal may beprovided to another component, element, device, circuitry, etc.Similarly, other implementations of DSCs as described herein may also beadapted for and applied to different applications beyond the specificapplication in which they are shown in a particular diagram.

FIG. 15A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 1501 of a DSCconfigured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to a currentbuffer servicing a motor in accordance with the present invention. Inthis diagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configured tocommunicate with and interact with a drive-sense circuit (DSC) 28. Theone or more processing modules 42 is coupled to a DSC 28 and is operableto provide control to and communication with the DSC 28. Note that theone or more processing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/orbe coupled to other memory. At least some of the memory storesoperational instructions to be executed by the one or more processingmodules 42. In addition, note that the one or more processing modules 42may interface with one or more other devices, components, elements, etc.via one or more communication links, networks, communication pathways,channels, etc.

In this diagram, the DSC 28 is configured to provide a drive signal to acurrent buffer 1550 and simultaneously to sense the ground signal thatis provided to the current buffer 1550. The current buffer 1550 isconfigured to generate a motor drive signal that is provided to a motor1540. This diagram shows an intervening element between the DSC 28 andthe motor 1540. Specifically, the current buffer 1550, which may beimplemented as a high current buffer in some examples, is configured toprocess the drive signal provided from the DSC 28 and to generate amotor drive signal having sufficient current as to drive the motor 1540.For example, some implementations of the motors 1540 may require verylarge currents (e.g., several amps, 10s of amps, or even higher amperagesignals for operation), and the current buffer 1550 is configured toensure an adequate amount of current is provided for proper operation ofthe motor.

In some examples, note that the current buffer 1550 is configured toprovide a motor drive signal to a stator winding associated with themotor 1540. For example, the buffer 1550 is configured to provide amotor drive signal so as to energize and excite the stator windingassociated with motor 1540 to induce rotation of the rotor of the motor1540. Note that multiple instantiations of the configuration of a DSC 28coupled to a current buffer 1550 that is configured to provide a motordrive signal to the motor 1540 may be made when the motor 1540 is amultiple phase motor. Considering an example in which the motor 1540 isa 3-phase motor, multiple instantiations of the configuration of thisdiagram may be implemented with respect to each of the differentrespective phases of the motor 1540 (e.g., 3 instantiations for eachphase of a 3-phase motor). Note that as few as a single processingmodule may be implemented to provide control to and communicate witheach of the different instantiations of the DSCs in variousconfiguration of this diagram that service the different respectivephases of the motor 1540.

FIG. 15B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 1502 of aDSC configured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to acurrent buffer servicing a motor including based on monitoring andsensing of a motor drive signal in accordance with the presentinvention. In this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to communicate with and interact with a drive-sense circuit(DSC) 28. The one or more processing modules 42 is coupled to a DSC 28and is operable to provide control to and communication with the DSC 28.Note that the one or more processing modules 42 may include integratedmemory and/or be coupled to other memory. At least some of the memorystores operational instructions to be executed by the one or moreprocessing modules 42. In addition, note that the one or more processingmodules 42 may interface with one or more other devices, components,elements, etc. via one or more communication links, networks,communication pathways, channels, etc.

This diagram has some similarities to the previous diagram with at leastone difference being that a sensor implemented DSC 28 is configured tomonitor the motor drive signal that is provided from the current buffer1550 the motor 1540 and to provide feedback information to the one ormore processing modules 42. For example, the one or more processingmodules 42 is configured to adapt operation of the DSC 28 that providesthe drive signal to the current buffer 1550 based on the sensorimplemented DSC 28 that is monitoring the motor drive signal. Forexample, based on the motor drive signal provided from the currentbuffer 1550 comparing unfavorably with one or more considerations (e.g.,overcurrent, undercurrent, improper phase or delay, etc.), the one ormore processing modules 42 is configured to direct operation of the DSC28 that provides the drive signal to the current buffer 1550 so as togenerate a motor drive signal that compares favorably with the one ormore considerations. This diagram provides an example by which a motordrive signal that is provided to with motor 1540 from a current buffer1550 that is serviced by a DSC 28 may be monitored and informationgenerated therefrom may be used to adapt operation of the DSC 28 thatprovides the drive signal to the current buffer 1550 to ensure operationof the motor 1540 in a desired manner.

In addition, in one particular example in which the current buffer 1550is failing, such as possibly providing an extremely high overcurrentthat is beyond the operational range and capability of the motor 1540,the feedback provided by the sensor implemented DSC 28 may be processedby the processing modules 42 to initiate a shutdown of the system so asto prevent damage to the motor 1540. In some examples, the one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to generate an error signal, providenotification to one or more other devices within the system of the errorcondition, etc. Note that multiple perspective DSCs 28 may beimplemented within a given configuration that includes a motor such thatthe different perspective DSCs 28 are performing different operationsand serving different needs within the system.

FIG. 16A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 1601 of aDSC configured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to acurrent buffer servicing a motor including based on monitoring andsensing of a motor drive signal via a coupler in accordance with thepresent invention. In this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to communicate with and interact with a drive-sense circuit(DSC) 28. The one or more processing modules 42 is coupled to a DSC 28and is operable to provide control to and communication with the DSC 28.Note that the one or more processing modules 42 may include integratedmemory and/or be coupled to other memory. At least some of the memorystores operational instructions to be executed by the one or moreprocessing modules 42. In addition, note that the one or more processingmodules 42 may interface with one or more other devices, components,elements, etc. via one or more communication links, networks,communication pathways, channels, etc.

This diagram has some similarities to the previous diagram. In thisdiagram, the DSC 28 is configured to provide a drive signal to a currentbuffer 1550 and simultaneously to sense the ground signal that isprovided to the current buffer 1550. The current buffer 1550 isconfigured to generate a motor drive signal that is provided to a motor1540. This diagram shows an intervening element between the DSC 28 andthe motor 1540. Specifically, the current buffer 1550, which may beimplemented as a high current buffer in some examples, is configured toprocess the drive signal provided from the DSC 28 and to generate amotor drive signal having sufficient current as to drive the motor 1540.This diagram has some similarities to the previous diagram with at leastone difference being that this diagram includes an intervening elementbetween the motor drive signal and the sensor implemented DSC 28,namely, a coupler 1660. The coupler 1660 is configured to performscaling, division, electrical isolation, etc. and/or some otherprocessing of the motor drive signal from the sensor implemented DSC 28to generate a signal that is representative of the motor drive signal tobe provided to the sensor implemented DSC 28. In some examples, themotor drive signal is of a voltage or current that is higher than thesensor implemented DSC 28 is capable of processing.

In other examples, the motor drive signal is implemented to beelectrically isolated from the sensor implemented DSC 28 as the coupler1660 provides a different signal that is representative of the motordrive signal to the sensor implemented DSC 28. Generally speaking, notethat coupler 1660 may be of any of a variety of types that is configuredto generate a signal that is based on an representative of the motordrive signal to be provided to the sensor implemented DSC 28 includingan AC coupler, a contactless current sensor such as a ferromagneticcurrent sensor (e.g., having a ferromagnetic element that encircles aline, connection, etc. between the current buffer 1550 in the motor 1540and produces a signal corresponding to the current passing through theline, connection, etc. from the current buffer 1550 to the motor 1540),a fiber-optic current sensor such as may be implemented as operatingbased on the Faraday effect (e.g., angular rotation of the plane ofpolarization of an optical wave in an optical element, such as opticalfiber, based on its interaction with a magnetic field generated by theline, connection, etc. between the current buffer 1550 in the motor1540), a voltage divider (e.g., including two or more impedances), aHall effect current sensor, etc. Generally speaking, any element that isimplemented to generate a signal that is representative of the motordrive signal and to provide that signal to the sense implemented DSC 28may be implemented as the coupler 1660.

FIG. 16B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 1602 of aDSC configured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to acurrent buffer servicing a motor including based on monitoring andsensing of a motor drive signal via a coupler and one or more additionalmotor related sensors in accordance with the present invention. In thisdiagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configured to communicatewith and interact with a drive-sense circuit (DSC) 28. The one or moreprocessing modules 42 is coupled to a DSC 28 and is operable to providecontrol to and communication with the DSC 28. Note that the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/or be coupled toother memory. At least some of the memory stores operationalinstructions to be executed by the one or more processing modules 42. Inaddition, note that the one or more processing modules 42 may interfacewith one or more other devices, components, elements, etc. via one ormore communication links, networks, communication pathways, channels,etc.

This diagram has some similarities to the previous diagram. In thisdiagram, the DSC 28 is configured to provide a drive signal to a currentbuffer 1550 and simultaneously to sense the ground signal that isprovided to the current buffer 1550. The current buffer 1550 isconfigured to generate a motor drive signal that is provided to a motor1540. This diagram shows an intervening element between the DSC 28 andthe motor 1540. Specifically, the current buffer 1550, which may beimplemented as a high current buffer in some examples, is configured toprocess the drive signal provided from the DSC 28 and to generate amotor drive signal having sufficient current as to drive the motor 1540.This diagram also includes an intervening element between the motordrive signal and the sensor implemented DSC 28, namely, a coupler 1660.The coupler 1660 is configured to perform scaling, division, electricalisolation, etc. and/or some other processing of the motor drive signalfrom the sensor implemented DSC 28 to generate a signal that isrepresentative of the motor drive signal to be provided to the sensorimplemented DSC 28.

This diagram has some similarities to the previous diagram with at leastone difference being that this diagram includes one or more sensors1680-1681 that are respectively serviced using DSCs 1628. For example,for each respective sensor 1680-1681, respected DSC 1628 is configuredto provide a signal to the respective sensor and simultaneously sensethat signal that is provided to the respective sensor to determine achange of an electrical characteristic associated with the respectivesensor to determine information being sent. Note that any of a varietyof sensors may be implemented to provide information associated withmotor operation. Some examples of such sensors include Hall effectsensors that may be implemented in a variety of ways including to detectmagnetic field, current, voltage, etc., temperature sensors, vibrationsensors such as may be implemented using accelerometers, airflowsensors, rotational speed sensors such as may be implemented usingoptical means or Hall effect-based sensing, etc. Generally speaking, anyof a number of types of sensors may be implemented to provideinformation regarding status of the motor 1540. In this diagram, the oneor more processing module 1632 is configured not only to receiveinformation from the sensor implemented DSC 28 that provides informationcorresponding to the motor drive signal provided from the current buffer1550 the motor 1540, but also from the one or more sensors 1680-1681 viathe one or more corresponding DSCs 1628. The one or more processingmodules 1632 is configured to process and use this additionalinformation provided from the one or more sensors 1680-1681 inconjunction with the sensing of the motor drive signal to adapt anddirect operation of the DSC 28 that provides the drive signal to thecurrent buffer 1550.

FIG. 17A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 1701 of aDSC configured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to amotor or a motor coupled element in accordance with the presentinvention. In this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to communicate with and interact with a drive-sense circuit(DSC) 28-17 a. The one or more processing modules 42 is coupled to a DSC28-17 a and is operable to provide control to and communication with theDSC 28-17 a. Note that the one or more processing modules 42 may includeintegrated memory and/or be coupled to other memory. At least some ofthe memory stores operational instructions to be executed by the one ormore processing modules 42. In addition, note that the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may interface with one or more other devices,components, elements, etc. via one or more communication links,networks, communication pathways, channels, etc.

In this diagram, the one or more processing module 42 is configured toprovide a drive signal, which may be viewed as a reference signal, toone of the inputs of a comparator 1715. Note that the comparator 1715may alternatively be implemented as an operational amplifier in certainembodiments. The other input of the comparator 1715 is coupled toprovide a motor drive signal directly from the DSC 28-17 a to the motoror motor coupled element 1440. The DSC 28-17 a is configured to providethe drive signal to the motor or motor coupled element 1440 and alsosimultaneously to sense the drive signal and to detect any effect on thedrive signal.

The output of the comparator 1715 is provided to an analog to digitalconverter (ADC) 1760 that is configured to generate a digital signalthat is representative of the effect on the drive signal that isprovided to the motor or motor coupled element 1440. In addition, thedigital signal is output from the ADC 1760 is fed back via a digital toanalog converter (DAC) 1762 to generate the drive signal is provided tothe motor or motor coupled element 1440. In addition, the digital signalthat is representative of the effect on the drive signal is alsoprovided to the one or more processing modules 42. The one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to provide control to and be incommunication with the DSC 28-17 a including to adapt the drive signalis provided to the comparator 1715 therein as desired to direct andcontrol operation of the motor or motor coupled element 1440 via thedrive signal.

FIG. 17B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 1702 of aDSC configured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to amotor or a motor coupled element in accordance with the presentinvention. In this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to communicate with and interact with a drive-sense circuit(DSC) 28-17 b. The one or more processing modules 42 is coupled to a DSC28-17 b and is operable to provide control to and communication with theDSC 28-17 b. Note that the one or more processing modules 42 may includeintegrated memory and/or be coupled to other memory. At least some ofthe memory stores operational instructions to be executed by the one ormore processing modules 42. In addition, note that the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may interface with one or more other devices,components, elements, etc. via one or more communication links,networks, communication pathways, channels, etc.

This diagram has some similarities to the previous diagram with at leastone difference being that this diagram excludes the DAC 1762 of theprior diagram. In this diagram, the analog output signal from thecomparator 1715 is fed back directly to the input of the comparator 1715that is also coupled to the motor or motor coupled element 1440 therebyproviding the drive signal (and simultaneously sensing) that is providedto the motor or motor coupled element 1440.

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 1800 of inductionmachine operation in accordance with the present invention. This diagramshows various examples of rotating equipment that operate based on theprinciple of electromagnetic induction. For example, at the topleft-hand side of the diagram, a rotating equipment 1820 is shown asreceiving as input electric power. Note that the input electric powermay be single phase, 3-phase, 3-phase including a neutral, etc. invarious examples. Generally speaking, such rotating equipment operatesin accordance with electromagnetic induction such that electromagneticfields (e.g., having a North Pole and South Pole) are induced within therotating equipment to induce movement of the rotor in a motoringapplication or to generate output electric power from the stator and agenerating application.

The rotating equipment 1820 may be viewed as an induction machineoperating as a motor when provided input electric power. As the power isprovided to one or more stator windings of the rotating equipment 1820,shown as stator 1822, based on electromagnetic induction to one or morecomponents within a rotor 1824, the rotor will rotate. One or morecomponents may be coupled to the rotor as it rotates thereby harnessingthe rotational energy provided by the motor.

In an alternative configuration, at the top right-hand side of thediagram, a rotating equipment 1830 is shown as including a rotor 1834that is driven by a mechanical energy source 1810. Note that such amechanical energy source 1810 may alternatively be referred to as aprime mover. As the rotor 1834 turns within the rotating equipment 1830,output electric power is generated via one or more stator windings 1832of the rotating equipment 1830. Note that the output electric powerelectric power may be single phase, 3-phase, 3-phase including aneutral, etc. in various examples. Generally speaking, the operation ofan induction machine has a motor or generator are complement three toone another. The rotation of the rotor within the rotating equipment1810 may be induced by providing appropriately providing input electricpower to the one or more stator windings of the rotating equipment.Alternatively, rotating the rotor within the rotating equipment (e.g.,using some mechanical energy source) may be performed to provide outputelectric power from the one or more stator windings of the rotatingequipment. In general, the induction machine operates based onelectromagnetic induction between a magnetic field of this one or morestator windings to the one or more rotor windings, or alternativelybetween the one or more rotor windings to the one or more statorwindings.

Note also that such an induction machine may operate both in accordancewith motoring and in accordance with generating at different times. Forexample, with respect to an induction motor, slip, s, is defined as afunction of the rotational speed of the magnetic field within the rotor,ns, the stator electrical speed, and the rotational speed of the rotoritself, nr, the rotor mechanical speed. A typical definition of slip, s,within an induction motor (or generally an induction machine) iss=(ns−nr)/ns. The bottom of the diagram shows torque of an inductionmachine as a function of speed or slip. As can be seen, when this slipis varying between 0 and −1, induction machine operates in accordancewith generating electric power. Alternatively, when the slip is varyingbetween 0 and 1, induction machine operates in accordance with motoring.

The principles of operation of an induction motor are analogous to theprinciples of operation of a generator, yet in reverse. Considering theoperation of an induction motor, AC power is provided to one or more ofthe stator windings of the rotating equipment thereby creating amagnetic field that rotates synchronously with the frequency of the ACpower that is provided to the stator windings That is to say, thefrequency of the AC signals provided to the stator windings will inducea magnetic field that rotates at the same frequency. Considering anexample in which the AC signals are of 60 Hz, then oscillation of themagnetic field within the rotating equipment will also be of 60 Hz.Within an induction machine implemented to operate as a motor, theinduction motor's rotor 1824 rotates at a slightly different frequencythan the magnetic field rotates within the stator 1822.

Within the induction motor, the magnetic field associated with the oneor more stator windings changes and rotates relative to the one or morerotor windings Similar to how electric current is induced within thetransformer via electromagnetic coupling between the primary andsecondary windings of the transformer, the rotating magnetic fieldwithin the one or more stator windings of the rotating equipment willinduce current within the one or more rotor windings of the rotatingequipment. The interaction between the induced current within the one ormore rotor windings of the rotating equipment also generates a magneticfield within the rotor that interacts with the magnetic field beinggenerated within the stator. Generally speaking, the direction of themagnetic field created by the current flowing in the one or more statorwindings will oppose any change in current through the one or more rotorwindings (e.g., in accordance with Lenz's Law). These opposite anopposing magnetic fields between the one or more stator windings in theone or more rotor windings will induce rotation of the rotor. Generallyspeaking, considering a motoring application, the rotor will accelerateto an operational speed at which the torque being generated inaccordance with the rotational energy of the rotor matches themechanical load being placed on the rotor.

With respect to this slip that provides an indication between thedifference of the stator electrical speed and the rotor mechanicalspeed, slip can vary such as being more than 5% for small motors to lessthan 1% for larger motors. Generally speaking, a nonzero slip valueindicates that the induction machine is not operating synchronously suchthat the rotor is rotating synchronously with the magnetic field withinthe one or more stator windings Generally speaking, higher values ofslip are associated with more induced voltage, more current, andstronger magnetic fields in accordance with the electromagnetic couplingwithin the induction machine. When operating as a motor, the rotatingspeed of the rotor of the induction machine will be less spendingelectrical rotating speed of the magnetic field within the one or morestator windings (e.g., which is often referred to as the synchronousspeed of the induction motor). Alternatively, for the induction machineto operate as a generator, its rotational operating speed is above therated synchronous speed of the induction machine thereby inducingcurrent in the stator windings of the induction machine based onmechanically induced rotation of the rotor of induction machine.

One or more processing modules implemented to perform monitoring andcontrolling the operation of an induction machine will operate moreeffectively having more highly accurate information regarding theposition of the rotor within the induction machine, the rate of rotationof the rotor within the induction machine, the frequency of the rotationof the magnetic field within the one or more stator windings of theinduction machine, etc.

One or more appropriately implemented DSCs, including one or morein-line DSCs in certain examples, may be implemented to provide and/ormonitor the input electrical signals provided to the one or more statorwindings of an induction machine in a motoring application or to monitorthe output electrical signals provided from the one or more statorwindings of an induction machine in a generating application.Information provided by one or more such appropriately implemented DSCscan be used to provide specific location of the rotor within theinduction machine. For example, as the highly accurate and highlysensitive detection capabilities of a DSC can detect when a rotorwinding passes by a stator winding when the rotor is rotating within theinduction machine. A number of different implementations may be made bywhich a DSC can detect the interaction between the rotor winding and thestator winding as they pass by one another in accordance with operationof the induction machine.

Generally speaking, the frequency and location of the electricalrotating magnetic field with any one or more stator windings is known,in that, it corresponds to the signals being provided to the one or morestator windings In accordance with an application in which one or moreDSCs are implemented either to drive and sense the one or moreelectrical signals being provided to the one or more stator windings orto sense the one or more electrical signals being provided to the one ormore stator windings, the characteristics of the electrical signalsbeing provided to the one or more stator windings is known. To determinethe slip of the induction machine, one or more DSCs are implemented todetect the interaction of the one or more rotor windings with the one ormore stator windings to determine when a rotor winding is located nextto or is passing a stator winding. Based on the particular configurationof the induction machine, whether a single phase induction machine,3-phase induction machine, or other type, the one or more DSCs areimplemented to detect when the one or more rotor windings areinteracting with the one or more stator windings and thereby providinginformation that may be used to determine the slip of the inductionmachine. Knowing particularly when the one or more rotor windings areinteracting with and passing the one or more stator windings providesindication of the mechanical speed at which the rotor of the inductionmachine is rotating. This information coupled with the known informationof the electrical rotating magnetic field with any one or more statorwindings is used to determine the slip of the induction machine.

In some examples, within a motoring application, an in-line DSC isimplemented to provide and sense an input electric signal to a statorwinding of the induction machine. In doing so, the in-line DSC isimplemented to detect when a rotor winding of the induction machinepasses by the stator winding based on the electromagnetic interactionbetween the rotor winding in the stator winding of the induction machineduring rotation of the rotor within the induction machine. Analogously,within a generating application, and in-line DSC is implemented toreceive and sense an output electric signal from a stator winding of theinduction machine. In doing so, such an in-line DSC is implemented todetect when a rotor of the induction machine passes by the statorwinding based on the electromagnetic interaction between the rotorwinding in the stator winding of the induction machine during rotationof the rotor within the induction machine, only this time in accordancewith a generating application.

An even other examples, whether in a motoring application or agenerating application, one or more appropriately implemented DSCs(e.g., including applications that may include one or more non-in-lineDSCs) operate to sense the electrical signals going into and/or out ofthe stator windings of the induction machine to provide informationrelated to the location of the rotor within the induction machine basedon detecting the interaction of the stator and rotor windings as theypass one another during rotation of the rotor of the induction machine.

While certain sensors may be implemented to detect the location of therotor within the induction machine during operation, one or moreappropriately implemented DSCs (e.g., including possibly one or morein-line DSCs and one or more non-in-line DSCs) can obviate the need ofsuch sensors. However, in examples in which such sensors may be used(e.g., such as Hall effect sensors implemented to determine the locationof the rotor within the induction machine), one or more appropriatelyimplemented DSCs operating in cooperation with sensors will also improvethe performance of those sensors. The use and implementation of suchDSCs within such induction motor applications may be performed toimprove significantly the accuracy of the information regarding theoperation of the induction motor thereby providing the ability for muchbetter operational management and control of the induction machine.

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 1900 of a 2-pole,3-phase induction machine in accordance with the present invention. Inthis diagram, the 3-phase induction machine has three sets of windings,with each phase connected to a different set of windings Consider threedifferent electric power signals being out of phase with one another by120°. On the right-hand side of the diagram shows the 3-phase AC powersupply such that phase A may be viewed as having a phase of 0°, phase Bmay be viewed as having a phase of 120°, and phase C may be viewed ashaving a phase of 240°. The rotor of the induction machine isimplemented as having a North Pole and South Pole. By appropriatelyproviding electric power input signals to the stator windings of theinduction machine, specifically shown as phase A in, phase B in, and inphase A in, a rotating magnetic field will be induced within the statorwindings of the induction machine. In this example, which includes a2-pole, 3-phase induction machine, each respective phase includes twocorresponding sets of windings, as can be seen as an example from the A1and A2 stator windings associated with phase A, the B1 and B2 statorwindings associated with phase B, and the C1 and C2 stator windingsassociated with phase C.

When appropriate input electric power signals are applied to therespective stator windings of the 2-pole, 3-phase induction machine, thecurrent flowing through the stator windings of the induction machinewill create a North Pole and South Pole via electromagnetic induction.In this diagram, the induction machine includes one North Pole and oneSouth Pole being a 2-pole induction machine. The rotating magnetic fieldof the stator windings of the induction machine will induce current toflow within the windings of the rotor. In some examples, the windings ofthe rotor are implemented in what is called a squirrel cageconfiguration, such that the rotating magnetic field of the statorcrosses the windings of the rotor within the squirrel cage configurationand the current flowing within the rotor windings produce its ownmagnetic field. Rotation of the rotor is induced such that the magneticfield that is generated by the current flowing in the windings of therotor attempts to follow the magnetic field rotating within the windingsof the stator. As such, the mechanical directional rotation of the rotoris same as the direction of rotation of the magnetic field within thestator. Note that within such a 3-phase induction machine application,reversing the connectivity of any two phases of the 3-phase AC powersupply being provided to the induction machine, within a motoringapplication, will reverse the directional rotation of the rotor withinthe induction machine.

With respect to such an induction machine, as mentioned above, whetheroperating in a motoring application oriented generating application,know that one or more appropriately implemented DSCs (e.g., includingone or more in-line DSCs and/or non-in-line DSCs), may be implemented toprovide and/or monitor the input electrical signals provided to the oneor more stator windings of an induction machine in a motoringapplication or to monitor the output electrical signals provided fromthe one or more stator windings of an induction machine in a generatingapplication. This diagram shows one particular example by which aninduction machine may be configured specifically showing the location ofthe stator windings of the three respective phases of a 2-pole, 3-phaseinduction machine and their connectivity including the relationshipbetween needle different respective electrical signals of the 3-phase ACpower supply being provided to those stator windings of the threerespective phases of a 2-pole, 3-phase induction machine. Note thatsensing of the electrical signals being provided to or provided from theone or more stator windings of such a 2-pole, 3-phase induction machinecan provide for highly accurate information regarding the location ofthe stator within the 2-pole, 3-phase induction machine based on theinteraction of the windings of the rotor and the stator as the rotorrotates within the 2-pole, 3-phase induction machine. In some examples,the use and requirement of Hall effect sensors implemented to helpdetermine the location of the stator within the 2-pole, 3-phaseinduction machine are obviated entirely because of the ability to drivecurrent signals to the stator windings in a motoring application andsimultaneously sense to them and/or to detect the current signalsprovided from the stator windings in a generating application. Incertain other examples, the operation of such Hall effect sensorsimplemented within such a 2-pole, 3-phase induction machine issignificantly improved by appropriately implemented one or more DSCsoperating in conjunction with one or more Hall effect sensors.

FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 2000 of in-lineDSCs implemented in accordance with providing electric power signals torotating equipment in accordance with the present invention. In thisdiagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configured to communicatewith and interact with one or more drive-sense circuits (DSCs) 28. Theone or more processing modules 42 is coupled to the one or more DSCs 28and is operable to provide control to and communication with the one ormore DSCs 28. Note that the one or more processing modules 42 mayinclude integrated memory and/or be coupled to other memory. At leastsome of the memory stores operational instructions to be executed by theone or more processing modules 42. In addition, note that the one ormore processing modules 42 may interface with one or more other devices,components, elements, etc. via one or more communication links,networks, communication pathways, channels, etc.

In this diagram, the one or more DSCs 28 are configured to receive oneor more input electric power signals and to process those one or moreinput electric power signals to generate drive signals to be provided tothe rotating equipment 2010. In an example in which the rotatingequipment 2010 operates based on 3-phase power, there are threerespective DSCs 28 implemented to receive the three respective inputelectric power signals. In certain examples that include 3-phase powerincluding a neutral, a fourth DSC 28 may also and optionally beimplemented in-line of the neutral as well as may be desired in certainimplementations. In an example in which rotating equipment 2010 operatesbased on single phase power, there is one DSC 28 implemented to receivethe single phase input electric power signal. Note that the number ofinput electric power signals that are received corresponds to the numberof DSCs 28 that received those respective input electric power signals.

Note that the rotating equipment 2010 of this diagram or other rotatingequipment referenced in other diagrams may be any of a variety of typesof machinery including a motor, factory assembly machinery, a drill, apump, a compressor, a turbine, a fan, etc. The rotating equipment 2010is connected to a load 2090 directly or via one or more componentscoupling the rotating equipment to the load 2090. Note that the load maybe any of a variety of components that is driven or is operated on basedon the rotating equipment 2010.

Considering an example in which the rotating equipment 2010 is a drill,the load 2090 may be an article of manufacture or some component that isbeing drilled by a drill bit that that is being driven by the rotatingequipment 2010. Considering an example in which the rotating equipment2010 is a pump, the load may be the fluid being pumped the a pathway orfrom one location to another. Considering an example in which therotating equipment 2010 is a compressor, the load may be the reservoiror container that is being compressed. Generally speaking, any of avariety of types of rotating equipment 2010 and load 2090 may beimplemented various examples. Generally speaking, other references torotating equipment and loads, etc. within other diagrams, examples,embodiment, etc. herein may also be interpreted broadly as including anysuch types of components and their equivalents.

In this diagram, the one or more DSCs 28 are implemented in an in-lineconfiguration with the one or more power supply signals to provideconditioned power signals to the rotating equipment 2010. In addition,they are configured to adapt control of the one or more motor drivesignals being provided to the rotating equipment 2010. The one or moreDSCs 28 are configured to receive the input electric power signals,perform processing on them, to provide drive signals to the rotatingequipment 2010 and simultaneously to sense those drive signals beingprovided to the rotating equipment 2010. The one or more DSCs 28 areconfigured to provide a variety of types of information to be used bythe one or more processing modules 42. For example, the one or more DSCs28 operating by sensing of the one or more motor drive signals to therotating equipment 2010 may provide information to determine therotational speed of the rotor, the torque, the electromotive force(EMF), counter- or back-EMF, the rotor position, slip, etc. Based on anysuch information that is determined based on the sensing of the one ormore motor drive signals provided to the rotating equipment 2010, theone or more processing modules 42 may adapt operation of the one or moreDSCs 28.

In some examples, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured todirect the one or more DSCs 28 to perform conditioning, adjusting,filtering, etc. of the one or more motor drive signals being provided tothe rotating equipment 2010. In other examples, the one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to direct the one or more DSCs 28 toprovide more current (e.g., based on detection of a high or higherback-EMF, an increased load, the rotor rotating at a slower speed thandesired, etc.) or less current (e.g., based on detection of a low orlower back-EMF, a decreased load, the rotor rotating at a higher speedthan desired, etc.) via the one or more motor drive signals beingprovided to the rotating equipment 2010. Similarly, the voltage of theone or more motor drive signals being provided from the one or more DSCs28 to the rotating equipment 2010 may be adapted or modified accordinglybased on such considerations.

Generally speaking, the one or more processing modules 42 is configuredto direct the one or more DSCs 28 to perform adaptation of the one ormore motor drive signals provided to the rotating equipment 2010. Insome examples, this involves modifying the amplitude or magnitude of thecurrent and/or voltage of the one or more motor drive signals. In otherexamples, this involves modifying the phase (e.g., forward/advancing orbackward/delaying) of the current and/or voltage of the one or moremotor drive signals. In even other examples, this involves filtering ofthe one or more motor drive signals (e.g., low pass filtering, bandpassfiltering, high pass filtering, and/or any combination of suchfiltering) to generate the one or more motor drive signals. Note thatsuch processing and filtering is performed in certain examples tocompensate for and/or remove one or more conditions affecting the one ormore motor drive signals (e.g., noise, interference, undesiredharmonics, glitches, etc.).

In yet other examples, the one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to direct the one or more DSCs 28 to increase the voltage orreduce the voltage of the one or more motor drive signals being providedto the rotating equipment 2010. In certain examples, the one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to direct operation of the one ormore DSCs 28 by modifying the one or more respective reference signalsbeing provided to the one or more DSCs 28. For example, based on the oneor more processing modules 42 adapting or modifying a reference signalthat is being provided to a DSC 28 will adapt operation of that DSC 28and thereby modify the drive signal being provided from that DSC 28 tothe rotating equipment 2010.

Also, in certain examples, the one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to detect and monitor the voltage and current of the one ormore input electric power signals received and/or provided, such asafter processing, electric power conditioning, etc., to the rotatingequipment 2010 (e.g., via one or more in-line DSCs 28 implemented asshown in this diagram, or based on one or more sensing implemented DSCs28 as described in the following diagram and others). Based oninformation provided to the one or more processing modules 42 via one ormore DSCs 28, regardless of their particular implementation, the one ormore processing modules 42 is configured to detect and monitor thevoltage and current of the signals. As such, the one or more processingmodules 42 is configured to determine the power factor of any one ormore of these electric power signals. Generally speaking, the powerfactor of an electric power signal corresponds to the ratio of the realpower absorbed by the load to the apparent power flowing the circuit.Real power, P, sometimes referred to as active power, is expressed inwatts. Reactive power, Q, is typically expressed in reactivevolt-amperes (vars). A complex power measure, S, is complex combinedexpression of P and Q and is typically expressed in volt-amperes (VAs).Generally speaking, the relationship between these is as follows:

S=P+j Q, such that S is the complex/vector combination of P and Q, withP having a phase of 0° and Q having a phase of 90°, such that S is thecomplex/vector combination of P and Q, and the magnitude of S, |S|,being expressed as follows:

|S|=sqrt(P{circumflex over ( )}2+Q{circumflex over ( )}2)

Consider an angle theta, θ, as being in reference to the angle between Sbeing the hypotenuse of a right triangle formed such that S is thecomplex/vector combination of P (e.g., horizontal line of the righttriangle) and Q (vertical line of the right triangle) such as based onS=P+j Q), then

cos θ,power factor=P/|S|

As can be seen, as this angle θ Decreases, approaching 0°, the cos θ,power factor approaches 1, its maximum possible value, and Q reduces tozero such that the load is primarily resistive and less reactive (e.g.,having little or no inductive and/or capacitive characteristics). Thatis to say, in a purely resistive system, the voltage and currentwaveforms are in phase with one another, and all the electric powerbeing delivered to the load is consumed. However, when the load isreactive to at least some degree (e.g., exhibiting inductive and/orcapacitive characteristics), then energy will be stored in the loads andthereby creating difference between the current and voltage of theelectric power signals. This energy that is stored within the loadtemporarily may be viewed as being stored in electric and/or magneticfields during the operation of the system.

Generally speaking, a lagging power factor is based on a positive angleθ (e.g., such that the value of Q it is a positive number, a positivereactive power), and a leading power factor is based on a negative angleθ (e.g., such that the value of Q it is a negative number, a negativereactive power). These terms refer to whether the phase of the currentis leading or lagging the phase of the voltage. When there is a laggingpower factor, the load being driven by the electric power signal istypically inductive, and the load consumes reactive power Q.Alternatively, when there is a leading power factor, the load beingdriven by the electric power signal is typically capacitive, and theload supplies reactive power Q.

Within the operation of electric motors, generators, etc., where thereis a significant amount of electromagnetic induction between variouscomponents including between the stator windings and rotor windings, theload (e.g., a motor, stator windings of a motor, induction motors, etc.)may exhibit inductive characteristics. However, well-constructedcomponents within such loads load (e.g., a motor, stator windings of amotor, induction motors, etc.) can exhibit linear characteristics withrelatively low power factors.

The one or more processing modules 42 is configured to direct operationof the one or more DSCs 28 to adjust and adapt one or both of thevoltage and/or current of these electric power signals. In doing so, theone or more processing modules 42 is configured to effectuate powerfactor adjustment. Generally speaking, a load (e.g., a motor, statorwindings of a motor, induction motors, etc.) with a lower power factordraws more current than a load with a higher power factor for the sameamount of power transfer.

The one or more processing modules 42 is configured to direct operationof the one or more DSCs 28 to adjust the power factor of the one or moreelectric power signals being provided to the rotating equipment 2010 bymodifying the voltage and/or current of these electric power signals.For example, consider a situation in which relatively less power isbeing required by the rotating equipment 2010 (e.g., a load that isdecreasing, such as having decreased torque, etc.), then the one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to direct operation of the one ormore DSCs 28 to adjust the relationship between the voltage and currentof an electric power signal to effectuate a power factor correspondingto the delivery of less power (e.g., less real power and more reactivepower) to the rotating equipment 2010 thereby improving the efficiencyand operation of the rotating equipment 2010. Alternatively, consider asituation in which relatively more power is being required by therotating equipment 2010 (e.g., a load that is increasing, such as havingincreased torque, etc.), then the one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to direct operation of the one or more DSCs 28 to adjust therelationship between the voltage and current of an electric power signalto effectuate a power factor corresponding to the delivery of more power(e.g., more real power and less reactive power) to the rotatingequipment 2010 thereby improving the efficiency and operation of therotating equipment 2010.

Generally speaking, any of the variety of information that may bedetermined based on analysis of the sensing of the one or more motordrive signals being provided to the rotating equipment 2010 may be usedto adapt operation of the one or more DSCs 28 by the one or moreprocessing modules 42 to control and/or adapt the operation of therotating equipment 2010.

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 2100 ofin-line DSCs implemented in accordance with providing electric powersignals to rotating equipment in accordance with the present invention.This diagram has some similarities to the previous diagram. For example,in this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configured tocommunicate with and interact with one or more drive-sense circuits(DSCs) 28. The one or more processing modules 42 is coupled to the oneor more DSCs 28 and is operable to provide control to and communicationwith the one or more DSCs 28. Note that the one or more processingmodules 42 may include integrated memory and/or be coupled to othermemory. At least some of the memory stores operational instructions tobe executed by the one or more processing modules 42. In addition, notethat the one or more processing modules 42 may interface with one ormore other devices, components, elements, etc. via one or morecommunication links, networks, communication pathways, channels, etc.The one or more DSCs 28 are configured to receive one or more inputelectric power signals and to process those one or more input electricpower signals to generate drive signals to be provided to the rotatingequipment 2010. The rotating equipment 2010 is connected to a load 2090directly or via one or more components coupling the rotating equipment2010 to the load 2090.

This diagram also includes one or more additional DSCs 28 that areimplemented as sensors to monitor the drive signals that are output fromthe in-line DSCs 28 that receive the one or more input electric powersignals. In this diagram, these one or more additional DSCs 28 are shownas sensing and monitoring the one or more conditioned input electricpower signals from the one or more in-line DSCs 28 that provide the oneor more conditioned input electric power signals to the rotatingequipment 2010. In other embodiments, note that these one or moreadditional DSCs 28 may alternatively be implemented to sense and monitorthe one or more input electric power signals that are provided from theto the one or more in-line DSCs 28 (e.g., monitoring and sensing the oneor more inputs to the one or more in-line DSCs 28 alternatively to or inaddition to the monitoring and sensing of the one or more outputs fromthe one or more in-line DSCs 28).

These one or more additional DSCs 28 are also in communication with theone or more processing modules 42. In certain examples, these sensorimplemented DSCs 28 are connected to the drive signal lines output fromthe in-line DSCs 28 via one or more couplers 1660. As describedelsewhere herein, the couplers 1660 may be of any of a variety of typesthat provide one or more other signals to the sensor implemented DSCs 28that are representative of the one or more motor drive signals that areoutput from the in-line DSCs 28 and provided to the rotating equipment2010.

This diagram shows an alternative implementation in which a first one ormore in-line DSCs 28 is configured to perform adaptation and control ofthe one or more motor drive signals that are provided to the rotatingequipment 2010 and a second one or more sensor implemented DSCs 28 isconfigured to perform sensing of the one or more motor drive signalsthat are provided to the rotating equipment 2010. Note that differentDSCs 28 in this diagram may be implemented to perform differentoperations. For example, the one or more in-line DSCs 28 is configuredto perform both the providing of the one or more motor drive signals tothe rotating equipment 2010 and also simultaneously to perform sensingof those one or more motor drive signals to the rotating equipment 2010as the one or more sensor implemented DSCs 28 is configured also toperform sensing of the one or more motor drive signals. In anotherexample, the one or more in-line DSCs 28 is configured to perform onlythe providing of the one or more motor drive signals to the rotatingequipment 2010 as the one or more sensor implemented DSCs 28 isconfigured to perform sensing of the one or more motor drive signals. Ineven other examples, the one or more sensor implemented DSCs 28 isconfigured to operate to perform adaptation of the one or more motordrive signals output from the in-line DSCs 28 such that for any givendrive signal that is provided to the rotating equipment 2010, acorresponding in-line DSC 28 and also another DSC 28 operatecooperatively to perform any modification or adaptation of thatrespective drive signal is provided to the rotating equipment 2010.

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 2200 ofin-line DSCs implemented in accordance with providing electric powersignals to rotating equipment in accordance with the present invention.This diagram has some similarities to the previous diagram of FIG. 20 .For example, in this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to communicate with and interact with one or more drive-sensecircuits (DSCs) 28. The one or more processing modules 42 is coupled tothe one or more DSCs 28 and is operable to provide control to andcommunication with the one or more DSCs 28. Note that the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/or be coupled toother memory. At least some of the memory stores operationalinstructions to be executed by the one or more processing modules 42. Inaddition, note that the one or more processing modules 42 may interfacewith one or more other devices, components, elements, etc. via one ormore communication links, networks, communication pathways, channels,etc. The one or more DSCs 28 are configured to receive one or more inputelectric power signals and to process those one or more input electricpower signals to generate drive signals to be provided to the rotatingequipment 2010. The rotating equipment 2010 is connected to a load 2090directly or via one or more components coupling the rotating equipment2010 to the load 2090.

This diagram also includes one or more additional DSCs 28 that areimplemented to interface to one or more sensors that provide additionalinformation regarding the rotating equipment 2010 and the load 2090. Forexample, one or more sensors 2280 to 2280-1 are implemented and servicedvia one or more DSCs 28 to provide information regarding the rotatingequipment 2010, and/or one or more sensors 2290 to 2290-1 areimplemented and serviced via one or more DSCs 28 to provide informationregarding the load 2090. Note that the number and type of sensorsimplemented to provide information on rotating equipment 2010 may be ofa variety of different types. Examples of such sensors implemented toprovide information of the rotating equipment 2010 may include one ormore of Hall effect sensors, optical speed sensors, temperature sensors,accelerometers such as may be implemented to monitor and detect forvibrations, etc. Similarly, such types of sensors may also beimplemented to provide information regarding the load 2090. In addition,based on the particular type of load 2090, appropriately tailoredsensors may be implemented (e.g., rate of flow sensors for a pumpapplication, pressure sensors for a compressor application, etc.).

This diagram shows an example in which additional information regardingthe status and operation of the rotating equipment 2010 and/or the load2090 is provided to the one or more processing modules 42 be used todirect and control operation of the various DSCs 28 and possiblyincluding the one or more in-line DSCs 28 that provide the one or moremotor drive signals to the rotating equipment 2010.

FIG. 23 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 2300 ofin-line DSCs implemented in accordance with providing electric powersignals to rotating equipment in accordance with the present invention.This diagram has some similarities to certain of the previous diagrams.For example, in this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to communicate with and interact with one or more drive-sensecircuits (DSCs) 28. The one or more processing modules 42 is coupled tothe one or more DSCs 28 and is operable to provide control to andcommunication with the one or more DSCs 28. Note that the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/or be coupled toother memory. At least some of the memory stores operationalinstructions to be executed by the one or more processing modules 42. Inaddition, note that the one or more processing modules 42 may interfacewith one or more other devices, components, elements, etc. via one ormore communication links, networks, communication pathways, channels,etc. The one or more DSCs 28 are configured to receive one or more inputelectric power signals and to process those one or more input electricpower signals to generate drive signals to be provided to the rotatingequipment 2010. The rotating equipment 2010 is connected to a load 2090directly or via one or more components coupling the rotating equipment2010 to the load 2090.

This diagram also includes one or more additional DSCs 28 that areimplemented as sensors to monitor the drive signals that are output fromthe in-line DSCs 28 that receive the one or more input electric powersignals. Note that these one or more additional DSCs 28 may be coupledto the one or more drive signal lines output from the in-line DSCs 28via one or more couplers 1660.

This diagram shows an example in which additional information regardingthe one or more motor drive signals output from one or more in-line DSCs28 as well as information regarding the status and operation of therotating equipment 2010 and/or the load 2090 is provided to the one ormore processing modules 42 be used to direct and control operation ofthe various DSCs 28 and possibly including the one or more in-line DSCs28 that provide the one or more motor drive signals to the rotatingequipment 2010.

In an example of operation and implementation, a rotating equipmentsystem with in-line drive-sense circuit (DSC) electric power signalprocessing includes rotating equipment 2010, in-line drive-sensecircuits (DSCs) 28, and one or more processing modules 42. The rotatingequipment 2010 is operably coupled to receive a plurality of motor drivesignals. When enabled, the rotating equipment 2010 is configured tooperate based on power delivered via the plurality of motor drivesignals.

Note that the one or more processing modules 42 may include integratedmemory and/or be coupled to other memory. At least some of the memorystores operational instructions to be executed by the one or moreprocessing modules 42. In addition, note that the one or more processingmodules may interface with one or more other devices, components,elements, etc. via one or more communication links, networks,communication pathways, channels, etc.

A plurality of in-line drive-sense circuits (DSCs) 28 is operablycoupled to receive a plurality of input electrical power signals and togenerate the plurality of motor drive signals. When enabled, an in-lineDSC 28 of the plurality of in-line DSCs 28 is operably coupled andconfigured to receive an input electrical power signal of a plurality ofinput electrical power signals, process the input electrical powersignal to generate a motor drive signal, and to output the motor drivesignal to the rotating equipment 2010 via a single line andsimultaneously to sense the motor drive signal via the single line.Also, the in-line DSC 28 is operably coupled and configured to detect aneffect on the motor drive signal that is based on an electricalcharacteristic of the rotating equipment 2010 based on the sensing ofthe motor drive signal via the single line. The in-line DSC 28 isoperably coupled and configured to generate a digital signalrepresentative of the electrical characteristic of the rotatingequipment 2010.

The one or more processing modules 42 is operably coupled to theplurality of in-line DSCs 28. When enabled, the one or more processingmodules 42 is configured to receive the digital signal representative ofthe electrical characteristic of the rotating equipment 2010 from thein-line DSC of the plurality of in-line DSCs and process the digitalsignal to determine information regarding one or more operationalconditions of the rotating equipment 2010. Based on the informationregarding the one or more operational conditions of the rotatingequipment 2010, the one or more processing modules 42 is configureddetermine whether to perform adaptation of the motor drive signal. Also,based on a determination to perform adaptation of the motor drivesignal, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured to identifyone or more adaptation operations to be performed on the motor drivesignal and direct the in-line DSC to perform the one or more adaptationoperations on the motor drive signal.

In some examples, the system includes another plurality of DSCs operablycoupled as sensors to monitor the plurality of motor drive signals thatare output from the plurality of in-line DSCs. When enabled, a DSC ofthe another plurality of DSCs operably coupled and configured to sensethe motor drive signal via another single line, detect the effect on themotor drive signal that is based on at least one of the electricalcharacteristic of the rotating equipment 2010 or the one or moreadaptation operations that is performed on the motor drive signal by thein-line DSC, and generate another digital signal representative of theat least one of the electrical characteristic of the rotating equipment2010 or the one or more adaptation operations.

The one or more processing modules 42, when enabled, are furtherconfigured to receive the another digital signal representative of theat least one of the electrical characteristic of the rotating equipment2010 or the one or more adaptation operations, process the anotherdigital signal to determine other information regarding the at least oneof the electrical characteristic of the rotating equipment 2010 or theone or more adaptation operations. Based on the other informationregarding the at least one of the electrical characteristic of therotating equipment 2010 or the one or more adaptation operations, theone or more processing modules 42 are configured to determine whether toperform additional adaptation of the motor drive signal. Also, based onanother determination to perform the additional adaptation of the motordrive signal, the one or more processing modules 42 are configured toidentify one or more additional adaptation operations to be performed onthe motor drive signal and direct the in-line DSC to perform the one ormore additional adaptation operations on the motor drive signal.

In some other examples, the system includes a plurality of sensors(e.g., 2280 to 2280-1 and/or 2290 to 2290-1) operably coupled to the oneor more processing modules 42 via another plurality of DSCs andimplemented to monitor a plurality of analog features associated with atleast one of the rotating equipment 2010 or a load that is serviced bythe rotating equipment 2010. When enabled, a DSC of the anotherplurality of DSCs is configured to drive and sense a sensor of theplurality of sensor via another single line, generate another digitalsignal representative of a sensed analog feature to which the sensor ofthe plurality of sensors is exposed, and transmit the another digitalsignal to the one or more processing modules 42.

The one or more processing modules 42, when enabled, are furtherconfigured to receive the another digital signal representative of thesensed analog feature, process the another digital signal to determineother information regarding the at least one of the rotating equipment2010 or the load that is serviced by the rotating equipment 2010. Basedon the other information regarding the at least one of the rotatingequipment 2010 or the load that is serviced by the rotating equipment2010, the one or more processing modules 42 are configured to determinewhether to perform additional adaptation of the motor drive signal.Based on another determination to perform the additional adaptation ofthe motor drive signal, the one or more processing modules 42 areconfigured to identify one or more additional adaptation operations tobe performed on the motor drive signal and direct the in-line DSC toperform the one or more additional adaptation operations on the motordrive signal.

In some examples, the in-line DSC further includes a power sourcecircuit operably coupled to the single line. When enabled, the powersource circuit is configured to provide the motor drive signal via thesingle line coupling to the rotating equipment 2010, and wherein themotor drive signal includes at least one of a DC (direct current)component and an oscillating component. The in-line DSC further includesa power source change detection circuit operably coupled to the powersource circuit. When enabled, the power source change detection circuitis configured to detect the effect on the motor drive signal that isbased on the electrical characteristic of the rotating equipment 2010and generate the digital signal representative of the electricalcharacteristic of the rotating equipment 2010.

Also, in some examples, the power source circuit includes a power sourceto source at least one of a voltage or a current to the rotatingequipment 2010 via the single line and the power source change detectioncircuit that includes a power source reference circuit configured toprovide at least one of a voltage reference or a current reference, anda comparator configured to compare the at least one of the voltage andthe current provided to the rotating equipment 2010 to the at least oneof the voltage reference and the current reference to produce the motordrive signal.

In certain examples, note that the one or more operational conditions ofthe rotating equipment 2010 includes one or more of rotational speed ofa rotor of the rotating equipment 2010, torque on the rotor of therotating equipment 2010, electromotive force (EMF) of the rotatingequipment 2010 including counter-EMF or back-EMF, a position of therotor of the rotating equipment 2010, slip of the rotating equipment2010 that is based on the rotational speed of a magnetic field withinthe rotor of the rotating equipment 2010, a stator electrical speed ofthe rotating equipment 2010, and the rotational speed of the rotor ofthe rotating equipment 2010.

Also, in some examples, the one or more adaptation operations to beperformed on the motor drive signal includes any one or more ofmodification of amplitude or magnitude of at least one of a current or avoltage of the motor drive signal, modification of phase of the at leastone of the current or the voltage of the motor drive signal, filteringof motor drive signal based on one or more of low pass filtering,bandpass filtering, and high pass filtering, and/or removal of one ormore of noise, interference, undesired harmonics, and glitches.

FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a method 2400for execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention. The method 2400 may also be viewed as a method for executionby a rotating equipment system with in-line drive-sense circuit (DSC)electric power signal processing. The method 2400 operates in step 2410by operating a rotating equipment based on power delivered via aplurality of motor drive signals.

The method 2400 also operates in step 2420 by operating a plurality ofin-line drive-sense circuits (DSCs) to receive a plurality of inputelectrical power signals and to generate the plurality of motor drivesignals. This involves operating an in-line DSC of the plurality ofin-line DSCs for various operations including receiving an inputelectrical power signal of the plurality of input electrical powersignals in step 2422, processing the input electrical power signal togenerate a motor drive signal in step 2424, outputting the motor drivesignal to the rotating equipment via a single line and simultaneouslysensing the motor drive signal via the single line in step 2426,detecting an effect on the motor drive signal that is based on anelectrical characteristic of the rotating equipment based on the sensingof the motor drive signal via the single line in step 2428, andgenerating a digital signal representative of the electricalcharacteristic of the rotating equipment in step 2429.

The method 2400 also operates in step 2420 (e.g., by one or moreprocessing modules) by receiving the digital signal representative ofthe electrical characteristic of the rotating equipment from the in-lineDSC of the plurality of in-line DSCs in step 2440, processing thedigital signal to determine information regarding one or moreoperational conditions of the rotating equipment in step 2450. Based onthe information regarding the one or more operational conditions of therotating equipment, the method 2400 also operates in step 2460 bydetermining whether to perform adaptation of the motor drive signal.Based on a determination to perform adaptation of the motor drivesignal, the method 2400 also operates in step 2470 by identifying one ormore adaptation operations to be performed on the motor drive signal anddirecting the in-line DSC to perform the one or more adaptationoperations on the motor drive signal in step 2480.

Alternatively, based on a determination not to perform adaptation of themotor drive signal in step 2470, the method 2400 ends or alternativelyreturns to step 2410 and continues to perform the method 2400.

Variants of the method 2400 may also include operating another pluralityof DSCs operably coupled as sensors to monitor the plurality of motordrive signals that are output from the plurality of in-line DSCs forvarious operations. Examples of such operations include sensing themotor drive signal via another single line, detecting the effect on themotor drive signal that is based on at least one of the electricalcharacteristic of the rotating equipment or the one or more adaptationoperations that is performed on the motor drive signal by the in-lineDSC and generating another digital signal representative of the at leastone of the electrical characteristic of the rotating equipment or theone or more adaptation operations. Such variants of the method 2400 mayalso include (e.g., by one or more processing modules) receiving theanother digital signal representative of the at least one of theelectrical characteristic of the rotating equipment or the one or moreadaptation operations. This may also involve processing the anotherdigital signal to determine other information regarding the at least oneof the electrical characteristic of the rotating equipment or the one ormore adaptation operations. Based on the other information regarding theat least one of the electrical characteristic of the rotating equipmentor the one or more adaptation operations, variants of the method 2400may also include determining whether to perform additional adaptation ofthe motor drive signal. Also, based on another determination to performthe additional adaptation of the motor drive signal, variants of themethod 2400 may also include identifying one or more additionaladaptation operations to be performed on the motor drive signal anddirecting the in-line DSC to perform the one or more additionaladaptation operations on the motor drive signal.

Other variants of the method 2400 may also include operating a pluralityof sensors operably coupled to another plurality of DSCs to monitor aplurality of analog features associated with at least one of therotating equipment or a load that is serviced by the rotating equipmentincluding operating a DSC of the another plurality of DSCs for variousoperations. Examples of such operations may include driving and sensinga sensor of the plurality of sensor via another single line generatinganother digital signal representative of a sensed analog feature towhich the sensor of the plurality of sensors is exposed. This may alsoinvolve processing the another digital signal to determine otherinformation regarding the at least one of the rotating equipment or theload that is serviced by the rotating equipment. Based on the otherinformation regarding the at least one of the rotating equipment or theload that is serviced by the rotating equipment, such variants of themethod 2400 may also involve determining whether to perform additionaladaptation of the motor drive signal. Based on another determination toperform the additional adaptation of the motor drive signal, variants ofthe method 2400 may also include identifying one or more additionaladaptation operations to be performed on the motor drive signal anddirecting the in-line DSC to perform the one or more additionaladaptation operations on the motor drive signal.

With respect to an in-line DSC implemented to facilitate operation ofsuch a method, the in-line DSC may be implemented to include a powersource circuit operably coupled to the single line. When enabled, thepower source circuit is configured to provide the motor drive signal viathe single line coupling to the rotating equipment, and the motor drivesignal includes at least one of a DC (direct current) component and anoscillating component. Also, the in-line DSC includes a power sourcechange detection circuit operably coupled to the power source circuit.When enabled, the power source change detection circuit is configured todetect the effect on the motor drive signal that is based on theelectrical characteristic of the rotating equipment and to generate thedigital signal representative of the electrical characteristic of therotating equipment.

In some specific implementations of such an in-line DSC, the powersource circuit including a power source to source at least one of avoltage or a current to the rotating equipment via the single line.Also, the power source change detection circuit includes a power sourcereference circuit configured to provide at least one of a voltagereference or a current reference, and a comparator configured to comparethe at least one of the voltage and the current provided to the rotatingequipment to the at least one of the voltage reference and the currentreference to produce the motor drive signal. Note that the rotatingequipment may be of any of a variety of types including a motor, afactory assembly machinery, a drill, a pump, a compressor, a turbine, ora fan.

Also, note that the one or more operational conditions of the rotatingequipment may corresponds to and include one or more of rotational speedof a rotor of the rotating equipment, torque on the rotor of therotating equipment, electromotive force (EMF) of the rotating equipmentincluding counter-EMF or back-EMF, a position of the rotor of therotating equipment, slip of the rotating equipment that is based on therotational speed of a magnetic field within the rotor of the rotatingequipment, a stator electrical speed of the rotating equipment, and/orthe rotational speed of the rotor of the rotating equipment.

Also, note that the one or more adaptation operations to be performed onthe motor drive signal may include one or more of modification ofamplitude or magnitude of at least one of a current or a voltage of themotor drive signal, modification of phase of the at least one of thecurrent or the voltage of the motor drive signal, filtering of motordrive signal based on one or more of low pass filtering, bandpassfiltering, and high pass filtering, and removal of one or more of noise,interference, undesired harmonics, and/or glitches.

FIG. 25 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 2500 of DSCsensing in accordance with providing electric power signal conditioningfor rotating equipment in accordance with the present invention. Thisdiagram has some similarities to certain of the previous diagrams. Forexample, in this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to communicate with and interact with one or more drive-sensecircuits (DSCs) 28. The one or more processing modules 42 is coupled tothe one or more DSCs 28 and is operable to provide control to andcommunication with the one or more DSCs 28. Note that the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/or be coupled toother memory. At least some of the memory stores operationalinstructions to be executed by the one or more processing modules 42. Inaddition, note that the one or more processing modules 42 may interfacewith one or more other devices, components, elements, etc. via one ormore communication links, networks, communication pathways, channels,etc. In addition, the rotating equipment 2010 is connected to a load2090 directly or via one or more components coupling the rotatingequipment to the load 2090.

Also, in this diagram, an electric power conditioning module 2540, whichis in communication with the one or more processing modules 42, isconfigured to process the one or more input electric power signals thatare to be provided to rotating equipment 2010 that is connected to aload 2090 directly or via one or more components coupling the rotatingequipment 2010 to the load 2090. The one or more DSCs 28 that areimplemented as sensors to monitor the drive signals that are output fromthe electric power conditioning module 2540 that receives the one ormore input electric power signals. Note that these one or more DSCs 28may be coupled to the one or more conditioned input electric powersignals that are provided to the rotating equipment 2010 via one or morecouplers 1660 (e.g., by operating in accordance with any of the one ormore characteristics of a coupler as described herein, theirequivalents, etc. and as may be desired in various examples).

In certain of the previous diagrams, one or more in-line DSCs areimplemented to perform input electric power signal processing togenerate the one or more motor drive signals that are provided to therotating equipment 2010. In this diagram, the electric powerconditioning module 2540 is implemented to perform input electric powersignal processing to generate the one or more motor drive signals thatare provided to rotating equipment. The electric power conditioningmodule 2540 is configured to perform processing of the one or more inputelectric power signals based on the control and direction provided fromthe one or more processing modules 42 based on information provided fromthe one or more DSCs 28 regarding the drive signals being provided tothe rotating equipment 2010.

Generally speaking, such an implementation using an electric powerconditioning module 2540 is operative using means that are alternativeto in-line DSCs to perform such processing of the input electric powersignals for additional means in conjunction with in-line DSCs to performsuch processing of the input electric power signals to generate one ormore conditioned input electric power signals to be provided to therotating equipment 2010. The electric power conditioning module 2540 maybe implemented to perform any of a number of operations on the one ormore input electric power signals to generate the one or more drivessignals that are provided to the rotating equipment 2010. Examples ofsuch modification of the one or more input electric power signals mayinclude any one or more of adjustment of the magnitude or amplitude ofthe voltage and/or current of the one or more input electric powersignals, modification of the phase of the one or more input electricpower signals (e.g., advance or delay), filtering (e.g., low passfiltering, bandpass filtering, high pass filtering, and/or anycombination thereof), reduction or removal of one or more effects on theone or more motor drive signals (e.g., noise, interference, undesiredharmonics, glitches, etc.).

In some examples, the electric power conditioning module 2540 isimplemented to include a number of discrete elements that may beselected based on one or more control signals provided from the one ormore processing modules 42. In an example, the electric powerconditioning module 2540 includes filter banks having differentproperties, and one or more of those filters is selected by the one ormore processing modules 42 to perform desired filtering on the one ormore input electric power signals. In a specific example, when the oneor more input electric power signals is adversely affected by one ormore of noise, interference, undesired harmonics, glitches, etc., theone or more processing modules 42 is configured to select one or morefilters from the filter banks element within the electric powerconditioning module 2540 to reduce or remove the adverse effects fromthe one or more input electric power signals.

In another specific example, when the one or more input electric powersignals is adversely affected by an overvoltage condition, the one ormore processing modules 42 is configured to select an appropriatescaling factor and element within the electric power conditioning module2540 (e.g., a voltage divider from among a number of available voltagedividers, to adjust a variable voltage divider to an appropriate value,etc.) so that the one or more motor drive signals are provided to therotating equipment 2010 in a manner that is in accordance with therequirements, constraints, ranges etc. by which the rotating equipment2010 operates, requires, and/or is best suited for.

In another specific example, when the one or more input electric powersignals is adversely affected by an undervoltage condition such as avoltage sag, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured toselect an appropriate scaling factor and element within the electricpower conditioning module 2540 (e.g., an amplifier from among a numberof available amplifiers, to adjust a programmable gain amplifier to anappropriate value, etc.) so that the one or more motor drive signals areprovided to the rotating equipment 2010 in a manner that is inaccordance with the requirements, constraints, ranges etc. by which therotating equipment 2010 operates, requires, and/or is best suited for.

In another specific example, when the one or more input electric powersignals is adversely affected by an out of phase condition, the one ormore processing modules 42 is configured to select an appropriate phaseadjustment value and element within the electric power conditioningmodule 2540 (e.g., a phase delay element implemented to delay a signalby an appropriate value, a phase advancement element implemented toadvance a signal by an appropriate value, a programmable phaseadjustment element that is adjusted to an appropriate value, etc.) sothat the one or more motor drive signals are provided to the rotatingequipment 2010 in a manner that is in accordance with the requirements,constraints, ranges etc. by which the rotating equipment 2010 operates,requires, and/or is best suited for.

Generally speaking, this diagram shows an implementation by which one ormore DSCs 28 are implemented to perform sensing of the one or more motordrive signals that are being provided to the rotating equipment 2010from the electric power conditioning module 2540 and are implemented toprovide information to one or more processing modules 42 that isconfigured to adapt operation of the electric power conditioning module2540 to ensure that the one or more motor drive signals that areprovided to the rotating equipment 2010 have desired properties for theapplication. This diagram shows the feedback implementation in which theone or more motor drive signals output from the electric powerconditioning module 2540 are sensed by the one or more DSCs 28,information generated based on that sensing is provided to the one ormore processing modules 42, and the one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to adapt operation of the electric power conditioning module2540.

FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 2600 of DSCsensing in accordance with providing electric power signal conditioningfor rotating equipment in accordance with the present invention. Thisdiagram as many similarities to the previous diagram with at least onedifference being that one or more DSCs 28 are implemented to performsensing of the one or more input electric power signals before they arereceived by the electric power conditioning module 2540. This diagramshows a feedforward implementation in which the one or more inputelectric power signals are sensed by the one or more DSCs 28,information generated based on that sensing is provided to the one ormore processing modules 42, and the one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to adapt operation of the electric power conditioning module2540. As in other diagrams, note that the one or more DSCs 28 that areimplemented to perform sensing of the one or more input electric powersignals may be implemented to receive one or more signals via one ormore couplers 1660 (e.g., by operating in accordance with any of the oneor more characteristics of a coupler as described herein, theirequivalents, etc. and as may be desired in various examples).

FIG. 27 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 2700 of DSCsensing in accordance with providing electric power signal conditioningfor rotating equipment in accordance with the present invention. Thisdiagram as many similarities to certain of the previous diagrams with atleast one difference being that a first one or more DSCs 28 areimplemented to perform sensing of the one or more input electric powersignals before they are received by the electric power conditioningmodule 2540 and a second one or more DSCs 28 are implemented performsensing of the one or more motor drive signals that are output from theelectric power conditioning module 2540.

This diagram shows a combination feedback and feedforward implementationin which the one or more input electric power signals are sensed by thefirst one or more DSCs 28 and the one or more motor drive signals outputfrom the electric power conditioning module 2540 are sensed by thesecond one or more DSCs 28, information generated based on the sensingas performed by the first one or more DSCs 28 and the second one or moreDSCs 28 is provided to the one or more processing modules 42, and theone or more processing modules 42 is configured to adapt operation ofthe electric power conditioning module 2540. As in other diagrams, notethat the first second one or more DSCs 28 that are implemented toperform sensing of the one or more input electric power signals and/orthe second one or more DSCs 28 that are implemented to perform sensingof the one or more motor drive signals output from the electric powerconditioning module 2540 may be implemented to receive one or moresignals via one or more couplers 1660 (e.g., by operating in accordancewith any of the one or more characteristics of a coupler as describedherein, their equivalents, etc. and as may be desired in variousexamples).

FIG. 28 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 2800 of DSCsensing in accordance with providing electric power signal conditioningfor rotating equipment in accordance with the present invention. Thisdiagram as many similarities to the previous diagrams with at least onedifference being that one or more sensors 2280 to 2280-1 are implementedto provide information regarding the rotating equipment 2010 to the oneor more processing modules 42 and/or one or more sensors 2290 to 2290-1are implemented to provide information regarding the load 2090 to theone or more processing modules 42.

In some examples, note that the respective one or more sensors 2280 to2280-1 and/or the respective one or more sensors 2290 to 2290-1 areserviced using respective DSCs 28. In certain particular examples, thesensor 2280 is in communication with a DSC 28 that is in communicationwith the one or more processing modules 42. Similarly, in certain otherexamples, the sensor 2290 is in communication with the DSC that is incommunication with the one or more processing modules 42. Generallyspeaking, one or more DSCs may be implemented to perform interactionwith the one or more sensors and to provide information from the one ormore sensors to the one or more processing modules 42 to be used therebyin accordance with adaptation of the operation of electric powerconditioning module 2540. This diagram shows an example by which notonly sensing of the one or more input electric power signals into theelectric power conditioning module 2540 and/or sensing of the one ormore motor drive signals output from the electric power conditioningmodule 2540 is made, and that information provided from one or moresensors 2280 to 2280-1 and/or the one or more sensors 2290 to 2290-1 isalso provided to the one or more processing modules 42 to be used asdesired in accordance with adapting operation of the electric powerconditioning module 2540.

FIG. 29 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a method2900 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention. The method 2900 operates by operating one or more DSCs forperforming monitoring and sensing of one or more electric power signalsthat are provided to a rotating equipment in step 2910.

The method 2900 continues by operating one or more processing modulesfor receiving information, via one or more DSCs, corresponding to one ormore electric power signals that are provided to the rotating equipmentin step 2920. For example, in a 3-phase electric power signalimplementation, three respective DSCs are implemented to provideinformation corresponding to the three respective electric power signalsthat are provided to the rotating equipment.

Also, in some examples, one or more sensors, which may be serviced byone or more DSCs, are implemented to provide information regarding thestatus and operation of the rotating equipment itself and/or a load thatis being serviced by the rotating equipment. Examples of such sensorsimplemented to provide information of the rotating equipment may includeone or more of Hall effect sensors, optical speed sensors, temperaturesensors, accelerometers such as may be implemented to monitor and detectfor vibrations, etc. Similarly, such types of sensors may also beimplemented to provide information regarding the load. In addition,based on the particular type of load, appropriately tailored sensors maybe implemented (e.g., rate of flow sensors for a pump application,pressure sensors for a compressor application, etc.). In such examplesin which one or more sensors are implemented to provide informationregarding the status and operation of the rotating equipment itselfand/or a load, the method 2900 also operates in step 2922 by operatingone or more processing modules for receiving information (e.g., via DSCsin some examples, directly from the sensors and other examples, etc.)corresponding to the status and operation of the rotating equipmentand/or the load.

The method 2900 continues in step 2930 by operating one or moreprocessing modules to process the information for determining whetherany adaptation to the one or more electric power signals is needed.Based on an unfavorable comparison of the one or more electric powersignals (and/or the status and operation of the rotating equipmentand/or the load) to one or more operational criteria in step 2940, theone or more processing modules operates by directing an electric powerconditioning module to perform one or more electric power signalconditioning operations to the one or more electric power signals instep 2950. Some examples of unfavorable comparison of the one or moreelectric power signals to one or more operational criteria may includeany one or more of the one or more electric power signals being ofimproper magnitude, improper phase, including an unacceptable amount ofnoise, interference, undesired harmonics, glitches, etc.

Some examples of unfavorable comparison of the status and operation ofthe rotating equipment and/or load may include any one or more ofovertemperature (e.g., temperature of the rotating equipment and/or loadbeing above a prescribed or recommended upper temperature), undertemperature (e.g., temperature of the rotating equipment and/or loadbeing below a prescribed or recommended lower temperature), overspeed(e.g., the rotating equipment and/or load operating at faster than aprescribed or recommended speed), under speed (e.g., the rotatingequipment and/or load operating at slower than a prescribed orrecommended speed), slip of the rotating equipment (e.g., in a motoringapplication) being outside of a prescribed or recommended range, etc.

Some examples of modification of the one or more input electric powersignals may include any one or more of adjustment of the magnitude oramplitude of the voltage and/or current of the one or more inputelectric power signals, modification of the phase of the one or moreinput electric power signals (e.g., advance or delay), filtering (e.g.,low pass filtering, bandpass filtering, high pass filtering, and/or anycombination thereof), reduction or removal of one or more effects on theone or more motor drive signals (e.g., noise, interference, undesiredharmonics, glitches, etc.).

In some examples, the information regarding the electric power signalsis received by the one or more processing modules via one or morecouplers that perform one or more of scaling, division, electricalisolation, etc. and/or some other processing of the one or more electricpower signals to generate one or more other signals representative ofthe one or more electric power signals and these one or more othersignals are provided and sensed by the one or more DSCs. Note also thatthe information that is received by the one or more processing modulesmay be received from sensing of the one or more electric power signalsbefore and/or after the electric power conditioning module. Examples ofsuch one or more electric power signal conditioning operations mayinclude any one or more of adjustment of the magnitude or amplitude ofthe voltage and/or current of the one or more input electric powersignals, modification of the phase of the one or more input electricpower signals (e.g., advance or delay), filtering (e.g., low passfiltering, bandpass filtering, high pass filtering, and/or anycombination thereof), reduction or removal of one or more effects on theone or more motor drive signals (e.g., noise, interference, undesiredharmonics, glitches, etc.).

Alternatively, based on a favorable comparison of the one or moreelectric power signals (and/or the status and operation of the rotatingequipment and/or the load) to one or more operational criteria in step2940, the method 2900 ends or continues such as by looping back andperforming the operational step 2910 and continuing to perform themethod 2900.

FIG. 30 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3000 of DSCsensing in accordance with rotating equipment regulation in accordancewith the present invention. This diagram has some similarities tocertain of the previous diagrams. For example, in this diagram, one ormore processing modules 42 is configured to communicate with andinteract with one or more drive-sense circuits (DSCs) 28. The one ormore processing modules 42 is coupled to the one or more DSCs 28 and isoperable to provide control to and communication with the one or moreDSCs 28. Note that the one or more processing modules 42 may includeintegrated memory and/or be coupled to other memory. At least some ofthe memory stores operational instructions to be executed by the one ormore processing modules 42. In addition, note that the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may interface with one or more other devices,components, elements, etc. via one or more communication links,networks, communication pathways, channels, etc. In addition, therotating equipment 2010 is connected to a load 2090 directly or via oneor more components coupling the rotating equipment to the load 2090.

Also, in this diagram, a first one or more regulator modules 3050 is incommunication with the one or more processing modules 42 and isconfigured to adapt and direct operation of the rotating equipment 2010.Similarly, a second one or more regulator modules 3051 is incommunication with the one or more processing modules 42 and isconfigured to adapt and direct operation of the load 2090.

Generally speaking the one or more regulator modules 3050 is configuredto control operation of the rotating equipment 2010 and/or one or moreassociated components, and the one or more regulator modules 3051 isconfigured to control operation of the load 2090 and/or one or moreassociated components. Considering the rotating equipment 2010, therotational speed of the rotor of the rotating equipment 2010 may beadapted or adjusted by the one or more processing modules 42 via the oneor more regulator modules 3050. In an example in which the rotatingequipment 2010 is a motor, a drill, etc., the one or more processingmodules 42, via the one or more regulator modules 3050, is configured toadjust the speed of the motor. An example in which the rotatingequipment 2010 is a compressor, the one or more processing modules 42,via the one or more regulator modules 3050, is configured to adjust thepressure by which the compressor operates on a particular element (e.g.,air, liquid, a container or vessel holding some element, etc.). In anexample in which the rotating equipment 2010 is a pump, the one or moreprocessing modules 42, be the one or more regulator modules 3050, isconfigured to adjust the rate by which the pump is operating, thepressure by which it is operating, etc.

In addition, one or more components may be associated with the rotatingequipment 2010. For example, the rotating equipment 1810 may include orhave associated one or more vents, air flow mechanisms such as one ormore cooling fans, environmental heating and/or cooling such asassociated with an enclosed cover within which the rotating equipment2010 is located. The one or more processing modules 42, via the one ormore regulator modules 3050 is configured to direct operation of anysuch associated components. For example, based on information providedvia the sensing performed by the one or more DSCs 28, the one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to control or adjust, via the one ormore regulator modules 3050, the operation of any such componentsassociated with the rotating equipment 2010. In one example, the one ormore processing modules 42 is configured, via the one or more regulatormodules 3050, provide more or less airflow such as by opening or closingone or more vents and/or adjusting operation of one or more coolingfans. In another example, the one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured, via the one or more regulator modules 3050, adjust thetemperature within an enclosure in which the rotating equipment 2010 islocated such as by controlling the heating venting air conditioning(HVAC) of the inside of the enclosure as is appropriate.

Similarly, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured, via theother one or more regulator modules 3051, to control operation of theload 2090 and/or one or more associated components. Considering anexample in which the load 2090 is a variable or selectable load, the oneor more processing modules 42 is configured, via the via the other oneor more regulator modules 3051, to adapt the amount of the load 2090that is being serviced by the rotating equipment 2010. This may involveswitching in additional load to increase the load 2090 or switching outload to reduce the load 2090.

In an example in which the load is an element (e.g., a drivetrain, aconveyor belt, etc.) and the rotating equipment 2010 is a motor, the oneor more processing modules 42, via the one or more regulator modules3050, is configured to adjust the amount of load that is being servicedby the motor.

In an example in which load 2090 is an element (e.g., article ofmanufacture, material, etc.) that is being operated on by rotatingequipment 2010 that is a drill, the one or more processing modules 42,via the one or more regulator modules 3050, is configured to adjust anyone or more operational parameters such as speed of the drill, thetorque of the drill, the proximity of the end of a drill bit of thedrill to the element on which it is operating (e.g., thereby controllingthe force, the pressure, the back-pressure, etc. by which the drill bitinteracts with the element it is drilling), etc.

In addition, with respect to power factor considerations including thosedescribed above, the one or more the one or more processing modules 42is configured, via the one or more regulator modules 3050, to controloperation of the rotating equipment 2010 and/or one or more componentsassociated therewith as well as, via the one or more regulator modules3051 including to effectuate power factor correction and adjustment suchas by switching in or out components having capacitive and/or inductivecharacteristics that operate to compensate for and/or cancel thecapacitive and/or inductive characteristics of the rotating equipment2010 and/or the load 2090. For example, the one or more processingmodules 42 is configured to effectuate power factor modification and/orcorrection (e.g., such as by bringing the power factor closer to 1). Forexample, one or more elements having capacitive characteristics may beswitched in to compensate for inductive effects of the rotatingequipment 2010 and/or the load 2090. In some instances, the rotatingequipment 2010 and/or the load 2090 includes such capability internally,such as one or more elements included therein (e.g., within the rotatingequipment 2010 and/or the load 2090) having such characteristics thatcan be switched in or out via the one or more regulator modules 3050and/or the one or more regulator modules 3051. Alternatively, such oneor more elements may be implemented in an external component andappropriately switched in or out (e.g., via the one or more regulatormodules 3050 and/or the one or more regulator modules 3051) toeffectuate power factor correction.

Generally speaking, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured,via the one or more regulator modules 3051, to control operation of therotating equipment 2010 and/or one or more components associatedtherewith as well as, via the one or more regulator modules 3051, tocontrol operation of the load 2090 and/or one or more componentsassociated therewith. In this diagram, the one or more processingmodules 42 is configured to effectuate such control based on informationreceived via the one or more DSCs 28 that are configured to sense theone or more input electric power signals that are being provided to therotating equipment 2010. In addition, in some examples, note that theone or more regulator modules 3050 and/or the one or more regulatormodules 3051 are configured to effectuate control of one or morecomponents of the rotating equipment 2010 and the load 2090 directly,via one or more DSCs that are configured to facilitate the operation ofthose one or more components, etc. That is to say, communication withcontrol of, and interaction with any one of the components and/orassociated components of the rotating equipment 2010 and/or load 2090may be facilitated via an appropriately implemented DSC that interactswith the component. In such instances and in certain examples, note thatthe one or more regulator modules 3050 and/or the one or more regulatormodules 3051 may be configured not only to direct control of the one ormore components, but also to sense information via the respective one ormore control signal lines provided to the one or more components. Thedrive-sense functionality of a DSC 28 as described herein is configurednot only to drive a signal via a signal line to facilitate operation ofa component but also to sense information regarding operation of thecomponent via the signal line.

FIG. 31 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 3100 of DSCsensing in accordance with rotating equipment regulation in accordancewith the present invention. This diagram as many similarities to theprevious diagrams with at least one difference being that one or moresensors 2280 to 2280-1 are implemented to provide information regardingthe rotating equipment 2010 to the one or more processing modules 42and/or one or more sensors 2290 to 2290-1 are implemented to provideinformation regarding the load 2090 to the one or more processingmodules 42.

In some examples, note that the respective one or more sensors 2280 to2280-1 and/or the respective one or more sensors 2290 to 2290-1 areserviced using respective DSCs 28. In certain particular examples, thesensor 2280 is in communication with a DSC 28 that is in communicationwith the one or more processing modules 42. Similarly, in certain otherexamples, the sensor 2290 is in communication with the DSC that is incommunication with the one or more processing modules 42.

In such an implementation, the one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured also to consider information provided via the one or moresensors 2280 to 2280-1 that are implemented to provide informationregarding the rotating equipment 2010 and/or the respective one or moresensors 2290 to 2290-1 that are implemented to provide informationregarding the load 2090.

FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 3200 of DSCsensing in accordance with rotating equipment regulation in accordancewith the present invention. This diagram as many similarities to certainof the previous diagrams (e.g., including electric power conditioningmodule 2540, one or more DSCs 28 implemented to perform sensing ofsignals being provided to or output from the electric power conditioningmodule 2540, etc.) including that an electric power conditioning module2540 is implemented to process the one or more input electric powersignals to generate one or more motor drive signals that are provided tothe rotating equipment 2010. In addition, as desired in certainexamples, the first one or more DSCs 28 (optionally connected via one ormore couplers 1660) is configured to monitor and sense the one or moreinput electric power signals that are provided to the electric powerconditioning module 2540 and/or a second one or more DSCs 28 (optionallyconnected via one or more couplers 1660) is configured to monitor andsense the one or more motor drive signals output from the electric powerconditioning module 2540 and provided to the rotating equipment 2010.

This diagram shows an example by which sensing of the one or more inputelectric power signals into the electric power conditioning module 2540and/or sensing of the one or more motor drive signals output from theelectric power conditioning module 2540 may be made to generateinformation of the signals being provided to and from the electric powerconditioning module 2540, and that information is provided to the one ormore processing modules 42 to be used as desired in accordance withadapting operation of any one or more of the electric power conditioningmodule 2540, the one or more regulator modules 3050, and/or the one ormore regulator modules 3051 to effectuate control of any one or more ofthe components within the system.

FIG. 33 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 3300 of DSCsensing in accordance with rotating equipment regulation in accordancewith the present invention. This diagram as many similarities to theprevious diagram with at least one difference being that one or moresensors 2280 to 2280-1 are also implemented to provide informationregarding the rotating equipment 2010 to the one or more processingmodules 42 and/or one or more sensors 2290 to 2290-1 are implemented toprovide information regarding the load 2090 to the one or moreprocessing modules 42. The one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to receive information from the first one or more DSCs 28that are configured to sense and monitor the one or more input electricpower signals being provided to the electric power conditioning module2540, the one or more motor drive signals output from the electric powerconditioning module 2540, information provided via the one or moresensors 2280 to 2280-1 that are implemented to provide informationregarding the rotating equipment 2010, and/or information provided viathe one or more sensors 2290 to 2290-1 that are implemented to provideinformation regarding the load 2090 to effectuate control of any one ormore of the components within the system.

FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a method3400 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention. The method 3400 operates by operating one or more DSCs forperforming monitoring and sensing of one or more electric power signalsthat are provided to a rotating equipment in step 3410.

The method 3400 continues by operating one or more processing modulesfor receiving information, via one or more DSCs, corresponding to one ormore electric power signals that are provided to the rotating equipmentin step 3420. For example, in a 3-phase electric power signalimplementation, three respective DSCs are implemented to provideinformation corresponding to the three respective electric power signalsthat are provided to the rotating equipment.

Also, in some examples, one or more sensors, which may be serviced byone or more DSCs, are implemented to provide information regarding thestatus and operation of the rotating equipment itself and/or a load thatis being serviced by the rotating equipment. Examples of such sensorsimplemented to provide information of the rotating equipment may includeone or more of Hall effect sensors, optical speed sensors, temperaturesensors, accelerometers such as may be implemented to monitor and detectfor vibrations, etc. Similarly, such types of sensors may also beimplemented to provide information regarding the load. In addition,based on the particular type of load, appropriately tailored sensors maybe implemented (e.g., rate of flow sensors for a pump application,pressure sensors for a compressor application, etc.). In such examplesin which one or more sensors are implemented to provide informationregarding the status and operation of the rotating equipment itselfand/or a load, the method 3400 also operates in step 3422 by operatingone or more processing modules for receiving information (e.g., via DSCsin some examples, directly from the sensors and other examples, etc.)corresponding to the status and operation of the rotating equipmentand/or the load.

The method 3400 continues in step 3430 by operating one or moreprocessing modules to process the information for determining whetherany adaptation to the operation of the rotating equipment and/or load isneeded. Based on an unfavorable comparison of the one or more electricpower signals (and/or the status and operation of the rotating equipmentand/or the load) to one or more operational criteria in step 3440, theone or more processing modules operates by directing, via one or moreregulator modules, adaptation of the rotating equipment and/or load instep 3450. Some examples of unfavorable comparison of the one or moreelectric power signals to one or more operational criteria may includeany one or more of the one or more electric power signals being ofimproper magnitude, improper phase, including an unacceptable amount ofnoise, interference, undesired harmonics, glitches, etc.

Some examples of modification of the one or more input electric powersignals may include any one or more of adjustment of the magnitude oramplitude of the voltage and/or current of the one or more inputelectric power signals, modification of the phase of the one or moreinput electric power signals (e.g., advance or delay), filtering (e.g.,low pass filtering, bandpass filtering, high pass filtering, and/or anycombination thereof), reduction or removal of one or more effects on theone or more motor drive signals (e.g., noise, interference, undesiredharmonics, glitches, etc.).

Some examples of unfavorable comparison of the status and operation ofthe rotating equipment and/or load may include any one or more ofovertemperature (e.g., temperature of the rotating equipment and/or loadbeing above a prescribed or recommended upper temperature), undertemperature (e.g., temperature of the rotating equipment and/or loadbeing below a prescribed or recommended lower temperature), overspeed(e.g., the rotating equipment and/or load operating at faster than aprescribed or recommended speed), under speed (e.g., the rotatingequipment and/or load operating at slower than a prescribed orrecommended speed), slip of the rotating equipment (e.g., in a motoringapplication) being outside of a prescribed or recommended range, etc.

Some examples of directing adaptation (e.g., from the one or moreprocessing modules via the one or more regulator modules) of therotating equipment and/or load may include any one or more of adjustingthe rotational speed of the rotor of the rotating equipment such as whenthe rotating equipment is a motor, a drill, etc., adjust the pressure bywhich the rotating equipment in a compressor example operates on aparticular element (e.g., air, liquid, a container or vessel holdingsome element, etc.), adjusting the rate by which the rotating equipmentin a pump example the pump is operating, etc. Some other examples ofdirecting adaptation (e.g., from the one or more processing modules viathe one or more regulator modules) of the rotating equipment and/or loadmay include any one or more of adjusting venting, air flow mechanismssuch as one or more cooling fans, environmental heating and/or coolingsuch as associated with one or more enclosed covers within which therotating equipment and/or load is/are located, controlling or adjustingthe operation of any such components associated with the rotatingequipment and/or load, providing more or less airflow such as by openingor closing one or more vents and/or adjusting operation of one or morecooling fans associated with the rotating equipment and/or load,adjusting the temperature within one or more enclosures in which therotating equipment and/or load is located such as by controlling theheating venting air conditioning (HVAC) of the inside of the enclosuresas is appropriate.

In some examples, the information regarding the electric power signalsis received by the one or more processing modules via one or morecouplers that perform one or more of scaling, division, electricalisolation, etc. and/or some other processing of the one or more electricpower signals to generate one or more other signals representative ofthe one or more electric power signals and these one or more othersignals are provided and sensed by the one or more DSCs. Note also thatthe information that is received by the one or more processing modulesmay be received from sensing of the one or more electric power signalsbefore and/or after the electric power conditioning module. Examples ofsuch one or more electric power signal conditioning operations mayinclude any one or more of adjustment of the magnitude or amplitude ofthe voltage and/or current of the one or more input electric powersignals, modification of the phase of the one or more input electricpower signals (e.g., advance or delay), filtering (e.g., low passfiltering, bandpass filtering, high pass filtering, and/or anycombination thereof), reduction or removal of one or more effects on theone or more motor drive signals (e.g., noise, interference, undesiredharmonics, glitches, etc.).

Alternatively, based on a favorable comparison of the one or moreelectric power signals (and/or the status and operation of the rotatingequipment and/or the load) to one or more operational criteria in step3440, the method 3400 ends or continues such as by looping back andperforming the operational step 3410 and continuing to perform themethod 3400.

FIG. 35 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a method3500 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention. The method 3500 operates by operating one or more DSCs forperforming monitoring and sensing of one or more electric power signalsthat are provided to a rotating equipment in step 3510.

The method 3500 continues by operating one or more processing modulesfor receiving information, via one or more DSCs, corresponding to one ormore electric power signals that are provided to the rotating equipmentin step 3520. For example, in a 3-phase electric power signalimplementation, three respective DSCs are implemented to provideinformation corresponding to the three respective electric power signalsthat are provided to the rotating equipment.

Also, in some examples, one or more sensors, which may be serviced byone or more DSCs, are implemented to provide information regarding thestatus and operation of the rotating equipment itself and/or a load thatis being serviced by the rotating equipment. Examples of such sensorsimplemented to provide information of the rotating equipment may includeone or more of Hall effect sensors, optical speed sensors, temperaturesensors, accelerometers such as may be implemented to monitor and detectfor vibrations, etc. Similarly, such types of sensors may also beimplemented to provide information regarding the load. In addition,based on the particular type of load, appropriately tailored sensors maybe implemented (e.g., rate of flow sensors for a pump application,pressure sensors for a compressor application, etc.). In such examplesin which one or more sensors are implemented to provide informationregarding the status and operation of the rotating equipment itselfand/or a load, the method 3500 also operates in step 3522 by operatingone or more processing modules for receiving information (e.g., via DSCsin some examples, directly from the sensors and other examples, etc.)corresponding to the status and operation of the rotating equipmentand/or the load.

The method 3500 continues in step 3530 by operating one or moreprocessing modules to process the information for determining whetherany adaptation to the operation of the rotating equipment and/or load isneeded. Based on an unfavorable comparison of the one or more electricpower signals (and/or the status and operation of the rotating equipmentand/or the load) to one or more operational criteria in step 3540, theone or more processing modules operates by directing, via one or moreregulator modules, adaptation of the rotating equipment and/or load instep 3550. Some examples of unfavorable comparison of the one or moreelectric power signals to one or more operational criteria may includeany one or more of the one or more electric power signals being ofimproper magnitude, improper phase, including an unacceptable amount ofnoise, interference, undesired harmonics, glitches, etc. Some examplesof unfavorable comparison of the status and operation of the rotatingequipment and/or load may include any one or more of overtemperature(e.g., temperature of the rotating equipment and/or load being above aprescribed or recommended upper temperature), under temperature (e.g.,temperature of the rotating equipment and/or load being below aprescribed or recommended lower temperature), overspeed (e.g., therotating equipment and/or load operating at faster than a prescribed orrecommended speed), under speed (e.g., the rotating equipment and/orload operating at slower than a prescribed or recommended speed), slipof the rotating equipment (e.g., in a motoring application) beingoutside of a prescribed or recommended range, etc.

Some examples of directing adaptation (e.g., from the one or moreprocessing modules via the one or more regulator modules) of therotating equipment and/or load may include any one or more of adjustingthe rotational speed of the rotor of the rotating equipment such as whenthe rotating equipment is a motor, a drill, etc., adjust the pressure bywhich the rotating equipment in a compressor example operates on aparticular element (e.g., air, liquid, a container or vessel holdingsome element, etc.), adjusting the rate by which the rotating equipmentin a pump example the pump is operating, etc. Some other examples ofdirecting adaptation (e.g., from the one or more processing modules viathe one or more regulator modules) of the rotating equipment and/or loadmay include any one or more of adjusting venting, air flow mechanismssuch as one or more cooling fans, environmental heating and/or coolingsuch as associated with one or more enclosed covers within which therotating equipment and/or load is/are located, controlling or adjustingthe operation of any such components associated with the rotatingequipment and/or load, providing more or less airflow such as by openingor closing one or more vents and/or adjusting operation of one or morecooling fans associated with the rotating equipment and/or load,adjusting the temperature within one or more enclosures in which therotating equipment and/or load is located such as by controlling theheating venting air conditioning (HVAC) of the inside of the enclosuresas is appropriate.

In some examples, the information regarding the electric power signalsis received by the one or more processing modules via one or morecouplers that perform one or more of scaling, division, electricalisolation, etc. and/or some other processing of the one or more electricpower signals to generate one or more other signals representative ofthe one or more electric power signals and these one or more othersignals are provided and sensed by the one or more DSCs. Note also thatthe information that is received by the one or more processing modulesmay be received from sensing of the one or more electric power signalsbefore and/or after the electric power conditioning module. Examples ofsuch one or more electric power signal conditioning operations mayinclude any one or more of adjustment of the magnitude or amplitude ofthe voltage and/or current of the one or more input electric powersignals, modification of the phase of the one or more input electricpower signals (e.g., advance or delay), filtering (e.g., low passfiltering, bandpass filtering, high pass filtering, and/or anycombination thereof), reduction or removal of one or more effects on theone or more motor drive signals (e.g., noise, interference, undesiredharmonics, glitches, etc.).

Alternatively, based on a favorable comparison of the one or moreelectric power signals (and/or the status and operation of the rotatingequipment and/or the load) to one or more operational criteria in step3540, the method 3500 ends or continues such as by looping back andperforming the operational step 3510 and continuing to perform themethod 3500.

After performing step 3530, the method 3500 continues in step 3560 byoperating one or more processing modules to process the information fordetermining whether any adaptation to the one or more electric powersignals is needed. Based on an unfavorable comparison of the one or moreelectric power signals (and/or the status and operation of the rotatingequipment and/or the load) to one or more operational criteria in step3570, the one or more processing modules operates by directing anelectric power conditioning module to perform one or more electric powersignal conditioning operations to the one or more electric power signalsin step 3580.

Alternatively, based on a favorable comparison of the one or moreelectric power signals (and/or the status and operation of the rotatingequipment and/or the load) to one or more operational criteria in step3540, the method 3500 ends or continues such as by looping back andperforming the operational step 3510 and continuing to perform themethod 3500.

FIG. 36A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 3601 of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention. In this diagram, one or moreprocessing modules 42 is in communication with a motor controller 3650that is configured to provide a motor drive signal to a motor 1540. Themotor controller 3650 is configured to receive a drive signal, such asthe digital drive signal from the one or more processing modules 42, andto convert the drive signal to a high current motor drive signal (or togenerate a motor drive signal based on the drive signal provided fromthe one or more processing modules 42) to direct and control operationof the motor 1540. In some instances, the motor drive signal is a highcurrent motor drive signal. In some examples, the motor controller 3650may be implemented as a high current motor controller.

Also, in this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configuredto communicate with and interact with one or more drive-sense circuits(DSCs), shown in the diagram as DSC 28. The one or more DSCs 28 isconfigured to perform sensing of the motor drive signal provided fromthe motor controller 3650 to the motor 1540. The one or more processingmodules 42 is coupled to the one or more DSCs 28 and is operable toprovide control to and communication with the one or more DSCs 28. Notethat the one or more processing modules 42 may include integrated memoryand/or be coupled to other memory. At least some of the memory storesoperational instructions to be executed by the one or more processingmodules 42. In addition, note that the one or more processing modules 42may interface with one or more other devices, components, elements, etc.via one or more communication links, networks, communication pathways,channels, etc.

The motor controller 3650 may be viewed as one or more controlelectronics and/or regulated power supplies. Note also that the motorcontroller 3650 may be implemented to include the motor driver in someembodiments. Generally speaking, a motor driver is implemented to outputand provide the sometimes high currents required within the one or moremotor drive signals to the selected operation of the motor 1540 and alsoto deliver the adequate power to drive the motor 1540. Often times amotor driver operates using larger circuitry (e.g., a larger integratedcircuit and typically within a low-power or low current applicationmotor controller) that is capable of operating at higher currents andvoltages than is often used within integrated circuitry (e.g., such asvoltages that are higher than 5 V DC, 3.3 V DC power supplies as may beimplemented within integrated circuitry).

In some examples, multiple different circuitries and functionality areincluded within the motor controller 3650. In some examples, the one ormore processing modules 42 is configured to provide one or more digitaldrive signals to the motor controller 3650, and the motor controller3650 converts those one or more digital drive signals to one or moremotor drive signals to be provided to facilitate operation of the motor1540. In some instances, the motor controller 3650 is configured togenerate the one or more motor drive signals based on the one or moredigital drive signals provided from the one or more processing modules42.

Generally speaking, a motor controller 3650 is the device that providesthe interfacing between the one or more processing modules 42 (e.g.,sometimes implemented as a microcontroller, microprocessor, etc.) andthe motor 1540 and/or one or more actuators associated with the motor.In certain applications, the one or more processing modules 42 isimplemented to provide relatively low power and low current signals(e.g., such as signals less than 1 amp, in the range of 100s ofmilli-amps, etc.) whereas various types of motors 1540 may require verylarge currents (e.g., several amps, 10s of amps, or even higher amperagesignals for operation). In some instances, the motor controller 3650includes one or more mechanisms to facilitate the starting of the motor1540, the stopping of the motor 1540, selection and operation of thedirection of rotation of the rotor of the motor 1540, selection andoperation of the rotating mechanical speed of the rotor of the motor1540, selection and operation of the torque being delivered by the motor1540, etc.

In certain implementations, the communication from the one or moreprocessing modules 42 to the motor controller 3650 is effectuated viadigital communication. In other implementations, communication andinteractivity between the one or more processing modules and the motorcontroller 3650 is effectuated using analog signaling or alternatively acombination of analog and digital signaling Regardless of the particularimplementation by which communication is implemented between the one ormore processing modules 42 and the motor controller 3650, one or moreDSCs 28 is implemented to perform sensing and monitoring of the one ormore motor drive signals provided from the motor controller 3650 to themotor 1540. The one or more processing modules 42 is configured toprocess information provided via the one or more DSCs 28 implemented toperform sensing and monitoring of the one or more motor drive signals toadapt and control operation of the motor controller 3650.

For example, the one or more DSCs 28 are implemented to sense the one ormore motor drive signals provided from the motor controller 3650 to themotor 1540. The one or more DSCs 28 are configured to provideinformation to the one or more processing modules 42 to be used todetermine the rotational speed of the rotor, the torque, theelectromotive force (EMF), counter- or back-EMF, the rotor position,slip, etc. Based on any such information that is determined based on thesensing of the one or more motor drive signals provided from the motorcontroller 3650 the motor 1540, the one or more processing modules 42may adapt operation of the motor controller 3650.

In some examples, the one or more processing modules 42 is alsoconfigured to adapt operation of the one or more DSCs 28 that areimplemented to sense the one or more motor drive signals provided fromthe motor controller 3650 to the motor 1540 (e.g., such as by adjustmentof any parameter of a reference signal provided to one of the one ormore DSCs 28 such as signal frequency, signal type, amplitude,magnitude, phase, DC offset, etc.). In addition, in certain examples,the one or more processing modules 42 is also configured to modify theone or more motor drive signals provided from the motor controller 3650to the motor 1540 via the one or more DSCs 28. The one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to direct operation of the motor1540 via the motor controller 3650. Considering an instance in which themotor controller 3650 is not providing the appropriate or adequate oneor more motor drive signals to facilitate operation of the motor 1540 inaccordance with the manner directed from the one or more processingmodules 42, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured tomodify the one or more motor drive signals being provided to the motor1540, the one or more DSCs 28, to ensure proper operation of the motor1540. For example, there may be instances in which the motor controller3650 is failing or failing to operate within its prescribed parameters.In such cases, the one or more DSCs 28 is configured to assist theoperation of the motor controller 3650, by the direction and control ofthe one or processing modules 42, to facilitate proper operation of themotor 1540 by appropriate modification of the one or more motor drivesignals provided from the motor controller 3650 to the motor 1540. Incertain applications, the one or more DSCs 28 is configured not only toprovide monitoring and sensing information related to the one or moremotor drive signals provided for the motor controller 3650 to the motor1540, but also to serve as a means by which the one or more motor drivesignals may be modified to facilitate proper operation of the motor1540.

FIG. 36B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 3602 of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention. This diagram has somesimilarities to the previous diagram with at least one difference beingthat one or more couplers 1660 is implemented to provide one or moresignals to the one or more DSCs that are in communication with the oneor more processing modules 42 based on connection to the one or moresignal lines that connect to the motor controller 3650 to the motor 1540via which the one or more motor drive signals are provided.

FIG. 37A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 3701 of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention. This diagram the has somesimilarities to certain of the previous diagrams. In this diagram, oneor more sensors 3780 is implemented to provide information regarding thestatus and operation of the motor 1540 and/or one or more othercomponents associated there with. In addition, another one or more DSCs28 is implemented to service the one or more sensors 3780. In certainexamples, the number of DSCs 28 that service the number of sensors 3780is on a one-to-one basis such that a respective DSC is implemented toservice each respective sensor 3780. In other examples, more than one ofthe sensors 3780 is serviced by a singular DSC 28. In yet otherexamples, more than one DSC 28 is implemented to service a singularsensor 3780. Note that the different respective sensors 3780 may be ofany variety in types as described herein providing information regardingthe status and operation of the motor 1540 (e.g., operational speed,temperature such as motor temperature and/or environmental temperature,vibration, etc. and other information pertaining to status and operationof the motor 1540).

This other one or more DSCs 28 also provides information to the one ormore processing modules 42. The one or more processing modules 42 isthen configured to use both the information from the one or more DSCs 28that provide information regarding the one or more motor drive signalsthat are provided from the motor controller 3650 to the motor 1540 andalso information regarding the status and operation of the motor 1540.This diagram provides another example by which additional informationmay be used by the one or more processing modules 42 to adapt operationof one or more motor drive signals that are provided to the motorcontroller 3650 to facilitate proper operation of the motor 1540.

FIG. 37B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 3702 of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention. This diagram has somesimilarities to the previous diagram. In this diagram, at least one theone or more DSCs 28 is implemented to perform sensing of the one or moremotor drive signals provided from the motor controller 3650 to the motor1540 via a connection provided from a coupler 1660 that receives a motordrive signal from the motor controller 3650 that is provided to themotor 1540 and provides a signal representative of that motor drivesignal. As in other diagrams, note that the one or more DSCs 28 that areimplemented to perform sensing of the one or more one or more motordrive signals are implemented to receive one or more signals via one ormore couplers 1660 (e.g., by operating in accordance with any of the oneor more characteristics of a coupler as described herein, theirequivalents, etc. and as may be desired in various examples). In thisparticular diagram, the one or more couplers 1660 is implemented toprovide one or more signals to the one or more DSCs 28 that isrepresentative of the one or more motor drive signals that is providedfrom the motor controller 3650 to the motor 1540.

FIG. 38A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 3801 of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention. This diagram has somesimilarities to certain of the previous diagrams with at least onedifference being that a motor controller 3850 shown in this diagramincludes one or more integrated processing modules. The motor controller3850 receives and/or generates the one or more motor drive signals thatare provided to the motor 1540 to facilitate operation thereof. Themotor controller 3850, which includes one or more integrated processingmodules, is in communication with one or more DSCs that are implementedto perform sensing of the one or more motor drive signals provided fromthe motor controller 3852 the motor 1540.

In this diagram, note that the motor controller 3850, which includes theone or more integrated processing modules, is coupled to the one or moreDSCs 28 and is operable to provide control to and communication with theone or more DSCs 28. Note that motor controller 3850 may includeintegrated memory and/or be coupled to other memory. At least some ofthe memory stores operational instructions to be executed by the one ormore processing modules of the motor controller 3850. In addition, notethat the motor controller 3850 may interface with one or more otherdevices, components, elements, etc. via one or more communication links,networks, communication pathways, channels, etc.

In some examples, the motor controller 3850 receives one or more motordrive signals, which may be digital drive signals, and generates the oneor more motor drive signals based thereon. In other examples, the motorcontroller 3850 itself generates the one or more motor drive signals andgenerates the one or more motor drive signals based thereon. In evenother examples, the motor controller 3850 generates the one or moremotor drive signals directly without first generating or receiving oneor more (digital) drive signals.

FIG. 38B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 3802 of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention. This diagram has somesimilarities to the previous diagram with at least one difference beingthat the one or more DSCs 28 that are implemented to perform sensing ofthe one or more motor drive signals are implemented to receive one ormore signals via one or more couplers 1660 (e.g., by operating inaccordance with any of the one or more characteristics of a coupler asdescribed herein, their equivalents, etc. and as may be desired invarious examples). In this particular diagram, the one or more couplers1660 is implemented to provide one or more signals to the one or moreDSCs 28 that is representative of the one or more motor drive signalsthat is provided from the motor controller 3850 to the motor 1540.

FIG. 39A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 3901 of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention. This diagram has somesimilarities to certain of the previous diagrams. In this diagram, oneor more sensors 3780 is implemented to provide information regarding thestatus and operation of the motor 1540 and/or one or more othercomponents associated there with. In addition, another one or more DSCs28 is implemented to service the one or more sensors 3780. In certainexamples, the number of DSCs 28 that service the number of sensors 3780is on a one-to-one basis such that a respective DSC is implemented toservice each respective sensor 3780. In other examples, more than one ofthe sensors 3780 is serviced by a singular DSC 28. In yet otherexamples, more than one DSC 28 is implemented to service a singularsensor 3780. Note that the different respective sensors 3780 may be ofany variety in types as described herein providing information regardingthe status and operation of the motor 1540 (e.g., operational speed,temperature such as motor temperature and/or environmental temperature,vibration, etc. and other information pertaining to status and operationof the motor 1540).

This other one or more DSCs 28 also provides information to the motorcontroller 3850. The motor controller 3850 is then configured to useboth the information from the one or more DSCs 28 that provideinformation regarding the one or more motor drive signals that areprovided from the motor controller 3650 to the motor 1540 and alsoinformation regarding the status and operation of the motor 1540. Thisdiagram provides another example by which additional information may beused by the motor controller 3850 to adapt operation of one or moremotor drive signals that are provided to the motor controller 3650 tofacilitate proper operation of the motor 1540.

FIG. 39B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 3902 of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention. This diagram has somesimilarities to the previous diagram with at least one difference beingthat the one or more DSCs 28 that are implemented to perform sensing ofthe one or more motor drive signals are implemented to receive one ormore signals via one or more couplers 1660 (e.g., by operating inaccordance with any of the one or more characteristics of a coupler asdescribed herein, their equivalents, etc. and as may be desired invarious examples). In this particular diagram, the one or more couplers1660 is implemented to provide one or more signals to the one or moreDSCs 28 that is representative of the one or more motor drive signalsthat is provided from the motor controller 3850 to the motor 1540.

FIG. 40A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 4001 of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention. In this diagram, one or moreprocessing modules 42 is in communication with a current buffer 1550that is configured to provide a motor drive signal to a motor 1540. Thecurrent buffer 1550 is configured to receive a drive signal, such as thedigital drive signal from the one or more processing modules 42, and toconvert the drive signal to a high current motor drive signal (or togenerate a motor drive signal based on the drive signal provided fromthe one or more processing modules 42) to direct and control operationof the motor 1540. In some instances, the motor drive signal is a highcurrent motor drive signal. In some examples, the current buffer 1550may be implemented as a high current motor controller.

Also, in this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configuredto communicate with and interact with one or more drive-sense circuits(DSCs), shown in the diagram as DSC 28. The one or more DSCs 28 isconfigured to perform sensing of the motor drive signal provided fromthe current buffer 1550 to the motor 1540. The one or more processingmodules 42 is coupled to the one or more DSCs 28 and is operable toprovide control to and communication with the one or more DSCs 28. Notethat the one or more processing modules 42 may include integrated memoryand/or be coupled to other memory. At least some of the memory storesoperational instructions to be executed by the one or more processingmodules 42. In addition, note that the one or more processing modules 42may interface with one or more other devices, components, elements, etc.via one or more communication links, networks, communication pathways,channels, etc.

Based on direction, control, and communication from the one or moreprocessing modules 42, the current buffer 1550 is configured to generatea motor drive signal that is provided to a motor 1540. This diagramshows an intervening element between the DSC 28 and the motor 1540.Specifically, the current buffer 1550, which may be implemented as ahigh current buffer in some examples, is configured to process the drivesignal provided from the DSC 28 and to generate a motor drive signalhaving sufficient current as to drive the motor 1540.

In some examples, note that the current buffer 1550 is configured toprovide a motor drive signal to a stator winding associated with themotor 1540. For example, the buffer 1550 is configured to provide amotor drive signal so as to energize and excite the stator windingassociated with motor 1540 to induce rotation of the rotor of the motor1540. Note that multiple instantiations of the configuration of a DSC 28coupled to a current buffer 1550 that is configured to provide a motordrive signal to the motor 1540 may be made when the motor 1540 is amultiple phase motor. Considering an example in which the motor 1540 isa 3-phase motor, multiple instantiations of the configuration of thisdiagram may be implemented with respect to each of the differentrespective phases of the motor 1540. For example, in certainimplementations, more than one current buffer 1550 is in communicationwith the one or more processing modules 42, and each of the respectivecurrent buffers 1550 is configured to provide a respective motor drivesignal to a respective phase of the motor 1540. Note that as few as asingle processing module may be implemented to provide control to andcommunicate with each of the different instantiations of current buffers1550 configuration of this diagram that service the different respectivephases of the motor 1540.

FIG. 40B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 4002 of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention. This diagram has somesimilarities to the previous diagram with at least one difference beingthat the one or more DSCs 28 that are implemented to perform sensing ofthe one or more motor drive signals are implemented to receive one ormore signals via one or more couplers 1660 (e.g., by operating inaccordance with any of the one or more characteristics of a coupler asdescribed herein, their equivalents, etc. and as may be desired invarious examples). In this particular diagram, the one or more couplers1660 is implemented to provide one or more signals to the one or moreDSCs 28 that is representative of the one or more motor drive signalsthat is provided from the current buffer 1550 to the motor 1540.

FIG. 41A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 4101 of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention. This diagram has somesimilarities to certain of the previous diagrams. In this diagram, oneor more sensors 3780 is implemented to provide information regarding thestatus and operation of the motor 1540 and/or one or more othercomponents associated there with. In addition, another one or more DSCs28 is implemented to service the one or more sensors 3780. In certainexamples, the number of DSCs 28 that service the number of sensors 3780is on a one-to-one basis such that a respective DSC is implemented toservice each respective sensor 3780. In other examples, more than one ofthe sensors 3780 is serviced by a singular DSC 28. In yet otherexamples, more than one DSC 28 is implemented to service a singularsensor 3780. Note that the different respective sensors 3780 may be ofany variety in types as described herein providing information regardingthe status and operation of the motor 1540 (e.g., operational speed,temperature such as motor temperature and/or environmental temperature,vibration, etc. and other information pertaining to status and operationof the motor 1540).

This other one or more DSCs 28 also provides information to the one ormore processing modules 42. The one or more processing modules 42 isthen configured to use both the information from the one or more DSCs 28that provide information regarding the one or more motor drive signalsthat are provided from the current buffer 1550 to the motor 1540 andalso information regarding the status and operation of the motor 1540.This diagram provides another example by which additional informationmay be used by the one or more processing modules 42 to adapt operationof one or more motor drive signals that are provided to the motorcontroller 3650 to facilitate proper operation of the motor 1540.

FIG. 41B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 4102 of DSCsensing in accordance with motor control feedback and adaptation inaccordance with the present invention. This diagram has somesimilarities to the previous diagram. In this diagram, at least one theone or more DSCs 28 is implemented to perform sensing of the one or moremotor drive signals provided from the current buffer 1550 to the motor1540 via a connection provided from a coupler 1660 that receives a motordrive signal from the current buffer 1550 that is provided to the motor1540 and provides a signal representative of that motor drive signal. Asin other diagrams, note that the one or more DSCs 28 that areimplemented to perform sensing of the one or more one or more motordrive signals are implemented to receive one or more signals via one ormore couplers 1660 (e.g., by operating in accordance with any of the oneor more characteristics of a coupler as described herein, theirequivalents, etc. and as may be desired in various examples). In thisparticular diagram, the one or more couplers 1660 is implemented toprovide one or more signals to the one or more DSCs 28 that isrepresentative of the one or more motor drive signals that is providedfrom the current buffer 1550 to the motor 1540.

FIG. 42 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a method4200 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention. The method 4200 operates in step 4210 by operating one ormore processing modules for providing a drive signal to a motorcontroller that is implemented to provide a motor drive signal to amotor. In some examples, the one or more processing modules and motorcontroller integrated into a single device such as a motor controllerthat includes one or more processing modules.

The method 4200 operates in step 4220 by generating a motor drivesignal. In some examples, this generation of a motor drive signal isperformed within the motor controller. The method also operates in step4230 by operating the one or more processing modules for communicatingwith and interacting with one or more DSCs that are configured toperform sensing of the motor drive signal provided to the motor. In someexamples, this monitoring by the one or more of DSCs is performed basedon the connection or coupling from the motor controller to the motorsuch that the motor drive signal is monitored and sensed.

The method 4200 continues in step 4240 by receiving, by the one or moreprocessing modules, information from the one or more DSCs regarding themotor drive signal. Also, in some examples, one or more sensors, whichmay be serviced by one or more DSCs, are implemented to provideinformation regarding the status and operation of the motor itself.Moreover, in some examples, the information regarding the electric powersignals is received by the one or more processing modules via one ormore couplers that perform one or more of scaling, division, electricalisolation, etc. and/or some other processing of the motor drive signalto generate one or more other signals representative of the motor drivesignal and these one or more other signals are provided and sensed bythe one or more DSCs. In such examples in which one or more sensors areimplemented to provide information regarding the status and operation ofthe motor, the method 4200 also operates in step 4242 by operating oneor more processing modules for receiving information (e.g., via DSCs insome examples, directly from the sensors and other examples, etc.)corresponding to the status and operation of the motor.

The method 4200 continues in step 4250 by operating one or moreprocessing modules to process the information for determining whetherany adaptation of the drive signal provided (e.g., from the one or moreprocessing modules) to the motor controller is needed. Based on anunfavorable comparison of the motor drive signal (and/or the status andoperation of the motor) to one or more operational criteria in step4260, the one or more processing modules operates by adapting the drivesignal provided to the motor controller in step 4270 to facilitateproper operation of the motor. Some examples of unfavorable comparisonof the motor drive signal to one or more operational criteria mayinclude any one or more of the motor drive signal being different thanwhat is expected from the motor controller taste on the drive signalprovided from the one or more processing modules to the motorcontroller, the motor drive signal being of improper magnitude, improperphase, including an unacceptable amount of noise, interference,undesired harmonics, glitches, etc.

Some examples of unfavorable comparison of the status and operation ofthe motor may include any one or more of overtemperature (e.g.,temperature of the motor being above a prescribed or recommended uppertemperature), under temperature (e.g., temperature of the motor beingbelow a prescribed or recommended lower temperature), overspeed (e.g.,the motor operating at faster than a prescribed or recommended speed),under speed (e.g., the motor operating at slower than a prescribed orrecommended speed), slip of the motoring being outside of a prescribedor recommended range, etc.

Alternatively, based on a favorable comparison of the motor drive signal(and/or the status and operation of the motor) to one or moreoperational criteria in step 4260, the method 4200 ends or continuessuch as by looping back and performing the operational step 3410 andcontinuing to perform the method 4200.

In some alternative examples, note that the drive signal provided fromthe one or more processing modules is provided to a current buffer thatis implemented to generate the motor drive signal that is provided tothe motor.

Certain of the following diagrams, examples, embodiments, etc. aredirected towards electric power generation related applications.Generators that generate electric power may be implemented in a varietyof ways. Generally speaking, an induction machine is described elsewhereherein in which the rotor is driven by some mechanical energy source maybe implemented to operate as a generator. There are a wide variety ofmeans by which such a mechanical energy source may be implemented. Amotor (e.g., a motor based on a gas, natural gas, diesel, etc. as afuel) may be implemented as the mechanical energy source. A turbine(e.g., such as may be driven by steam, gas, natural gas, wind,water/hydro sometimes referred to as hydraulic, etc.) may also beimplemented as a mechanical energy source. Generally speaking, anymechanism implemented to facilitate rotation of the rotor is in aninduction machine may serve as the mechanical energy source to generateelectric power from the stator of the induction machine. Generators maybe implemented in a variety of ways including single phase, 3-phase,etc. Some 3-phase generators also may be implemented to provide outputneutral line or connection.

Implementation of one or more DSCs as described herein and theirequivalents provide for the improvement of the operation of suchgenerator systems. One or more DSCs may be implemented to performprocessing of the electrical power signals that are generated by suchgenerators, to sense the electric power signals that are generated bysuch generators, to drive and service various sensors, actuators,components, etc. associated with such generator systems, etc. certain ofthe following diagrams, examples, embodiments, etc. provide variousimplementations by which one or more DSCs may be implemented to improvethe quality of the electric power signals that are generated within suchsystems and to improve the overall operation of such systems. Note thatsome implementations include one or more DSCs that are implementedperform both drive and sense operations and/or one or more DSCs that areimplemented performed sense only operations.

FIG. 43A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 4301 of inputelectric power adaptation based on in-line DSC configured simultaneouslyto drive and sense a drive signal to a load in accordance with thepresent invention. In this diagram, input electric power signal isprovided to a drive-sense circuit (DSC) 28. In some examples, the inputelectric power signal is provided from a generator. Also, in thisdiagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configured to communicatewith and interact with the DSC 28. The one or more processing modules 42is coupled to a DSC 28. Note that the one or more processing modules 42may include integrated memory and/or be coupled to other memory. Atleast some of the memory stores operational instructions to be executedby the one or more processing modules 42. In addition, note that the oneor more processing modules 42 may interface with one or more otherdevices, components, elements, etc. via one or more communication links,networks, communication pathways, channels, etc.

The DSC is configured to provide a drive signal to a load, shown asreference numeral 4390. Note that such the load 4390 may generally beviewed as any type of load as described herein and/or their equivalents.In some examples, the load 4390 is a transmission line such as outputfrom an electric power generation station. In other examples, the load4390 is a substation within one or more electric power grid,transmission and distribution (T&D) networks, such that the substationis implemented to perform the voltage up conversion from the generationlevel voltage to one or more higher transmission voltage levels (e.g.,69 kV, 115 kV, 230 kV, 500 kV, 765 kV, etc.) that is appropriate fortransmission so the electric power can travel over longer distances moreefficiently. In even other examples, the load 4390 is a motor such asdescribed herein or their equivalents (e.g., such as a DC motor, andAC/induction motor, a DC brushless motor (DCBM), etc.). In otherexamples, the load 4390 is some form of machinery such as a drill, apump, a compressor, etc. Generally speaking, any element implemented toreceive and consume electric power may be viewed as the load 4390.

In general, any load 4390 may be implemented and provided a drive signalfrom the DSC 28. In this diagram, the DSC 28 operates to provide thedrive signal to the load 4390 and also simultaneously to detect anyeffect on the drive signal. In this diagram, input electric power isprovided to the DSC 28 and the DSC 28 is implemented to perform in-lineprocessing of the input electric power signal to generate the drivesignal that is provided to the load 4390. Note that the power supplyreference input 1405 may also be provided to the DSC 1420 in certainexamples. In such examples, the DSC 28 is configured to process theinput electric power signal based on power supply reference input 1405.Note also that the power supply reference input 1405 may be providedfrom the one or more processing modules 42 in some examples. Thisdiagram shows a general configuration by which a DSC 28 is implementedto receive an input electric power signal from a generator and togenerate a drive signal to be provided to the load 4390.

FIG. 43B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 4302 ofinput electric power adaptation based on in-line DSC configuredsimultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to a load in accordancewith the present invention. In this diagram, one or more processingmodules 42 is configured to communicate with and interact with adrive-sense circuit (DSC) 28-43 that is configured to receive an inputelectric power signal (e.g., from a generator). The one or moreprocessing modules 42 is coupled to a DSC 28-43 and is operable toprovide control to and communication with the DSC 28-43. Note that theone or more processing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/orbe coupled to other memory. At least some of the memory storesoperational instructions to be executed by the one or more processingmodules 42. In addition, note that the one or more processing modules 42may interface with one or more other devices, components, elements, etc.via one or more communication links, networks, communication pathways,channels, etc.

In this diagram, DSC 28-43 includes a power source circuit 1410 that isconfigured to receive an input electric power signal (e.g., from agenerator) and a drive signal change detection circuit 1412. The drivesignal change detection circuit 1412 includes a power source referencecircuit 1412 a and a comparator 1412 b. With respect to this diagram aswell as others, note than any comparator may alternatively implementedas an operational amplifier as desired in certain examples. For example,while come examples are implemented such that a comparator operates tooutput a binary signal (e.g., either a 1 or a 0), an operationalamplifier may alternatively be implemented to output any signal within arange of signals as may be desired in certain applications. In someexamples, the power source circuit 1412 may be an independent currentsource, a dependent current source, a current mirror circuit, etc., oralternatively, an independent voltage source, a dependent voltagesource, etc.

In addition, one or more processing modules 42 is configured to interactwith and communicate with the DSC 28-43. In some examples, the one ormore processing modules 42 is configured to provide control signals toone or more of the components within the DSC 28-43. In addition, the oneor more processing modules 42 is configured to receive information fromDSC 28-43. The one or more processing modules 42 is configured toprocess information that is received and to direct operation of one ormore of the components within the DSC 28-43.

In an example of operation based on a current related implementation ofthe DSC 28-43, the power source reference circuit 1412 a provides acurrent reference with at least one of DC and oscillating components tothe power source circuit 1410. The current source generates a current asthe drive signal based on the current reference. An electricalcharacteristic of the load 4390 has an effect on the current drivesignal. For example, if the impedance of the load 4390 decreases and thecurrent drive signal remains substantially unchanged, the voltage acrossthe load 4390 is decreased.

The comparator 1412 b compares the current reference with the affecteddrive signal to produce a signal that is representative of the change tothe drive signal. For example, the current reference signal correspondsto a given current (I) times a given impedance (Z). The currentreference generates the drive signal to produce the given current (I).If the impedance of the load 4390 substantially matches the givenimpedance (Z), then the comparator's output is reflective of theimpedances substantially matching. If the impedance of the load 4390 isgreater than the given impedance (Z), then the comparator's output isindicative of how much greater the impedance of the load 4390 is thanthat of the given impedance (Z). If the impedance of the load 4390 isless than the given impedance (Z), then the comparator's output isindicative of how much less the impedance of the load 4390 is than thatof the given impedance (Z).

In an example of operation based on a voltage related implementation ofthe DSC 28-43, the power source reference circuit 1412 a provides avoltage reference with at least one of DC and oscillating components tothe power source circuit 1410. The power source circuit 1410 generates avoltage as the drive signal based on the voltage reference. Anelectrical characteristic of the load 4390 has an effect on the voltagedrive signal. For example, if the impedance of the sensor decreases andthe voltage drive signal remains substantially unchanged, the currentthrough the sensor is increased.

The comparator 1412 b compares the voltage reference with the affecteddrive signal to produce the signal that is representative of the changeto the drive signal. For example, the voltage reference signalcorresponds to a given voltage (V) divided by a given impedance (Z). Thevoltage reference generates the drive signal to produce the givenvoltage (V). If the impedance of the load 4390 substantially matches thegiven impedance (Z), then the comparator's output is reflective of theimpedances substantially matching. If the impedance of the load 4390 isgreater than the given impedance (Z), then the comparator's output isindicative of how much greater the impedance of the load 4390 is thanthat of the given impedance (Z). If the impedance of the load 4390 isless than the given impedance (Z), then the comparator's output isindicative of how much less the impedance of the load 4390 is than thatof the given impedance (Z).

Generally speaking, this diagram shows yet another example by which aDSC may be implemented to perform in-line processing of the inputelectric drive signal to generate the drive signal that is provided tothe load 4390. However, note that any of a variety of differentimplementations of the DSC may be made to generate a drive signal to beprovided to a load 4390 while simultaneously monitoring and sensing thatdrive signal.

FIG. 44A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 4401 of a DSCconfigured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to a load inaccordance with the present invention. In this diagram, one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to communicate with and interactwith a drive-sense circuit (DSC) 28-44 a. The one or more processingmodules 42 is coupled to a DSC 28-44 a and is operable to providecontrol to and communication with the DSC 28-44 a. Note that the one ormore processing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/or becoupled to other memory. At least some of the memory stores operationalinstructions to be executed by the one or more processing modules 42. Inaddition, note that the one or more processing modules 42 may interfacewith one or more other devices, components, elements, etc. via one ormore communication links, networks, communication pathways, channels,etc.

In this diagram, the one or more processing module 42 is configured toprovide a drive signal, which may be viewed as a reference signal, toone of the inputs of a comparator 1715. Note that the comparator 1715may alternatively be implemented as an operational amplifier in certainembodiments. The other input of the comparator 1715 is coupled toprovide a drive signal directly from the DSC 28-44 a to the load 4390.The DSC 28-44 a is configured to provide the drive signal to the load4390 and also simultaneously to sense the drive signal and to detect anyeffect on the drive signal.

The output of the comparator 1715 is provided to an analog to digitalconverter (ADC) 1760 that is configured to generate a digital signalthat is representative of the effect on the drive signal that isprovided to the load 4390. In addition, the digital signal is outputfrom the ADC 1760 is fed back via a digital to analog converter (DAC)1762 to generate the drive signal is provided to the load 4390. Inaddition, the digital signal that is representative of the effect on thedrive signal is also provided to the one or more processing modules 42.The one or more processing modules 42 is configured to provide controlto and be in communication with the DSC 28-44 a including to adapt thedrive signal is provided to the comparator 1715 therein as desired todirect and control operation of the load 4390 via the drive signal.

FIG. 44B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 4402 of a DSCconfigured simultaneously to drive and sense a drive signal to a load inaccordance with the present invention. In this diagram, one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to communicate with and interactwith a drive-sense circuit (DSC) 28-44 b. The one or more processingmodules 42 is coupled to a DSC 28-44 b and is operable to providecontrol to and communication with the DSC 28-44 b. Note that the one ormore processing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/or becoupled to other memory. At least some of the memory stores operationalinstructions to be executed by the one or more processing modules 42. Inaddition, note that the one or more processing modules 42 may interfacewith one or more other devices, components, elements, etc. via one ormore communication links, networks, communication pathways, channels,etc.

This diagram has some similarities to the previous diagram with at leastone difference being that this diagram excludes the DAC 1762 of theprior diagram. In this diagram, the analog output signal from thecomparator 1715 is fed back directly to the input of the comparator 1715that is also coupled to the load 4390 thereby providing the drive signal(and simultaneously sensing) that is provided to the load 4390.

FIG. 45 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 4500 of generatoroutput adaptation with in-line DSC in accordance with the presentinvention. In this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to communicate with and interact with one or more drive-sensecircuits (DSCs) 28. The one or more processing modules 42 is coupled tothe one or more DSCs 28 and is operable to provide control to andcommunication with the one or more DSCs 28. Note that the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/or be coupled toother memory. At least some of the memory stores operationalinstructions to be executed by the one or more processing modules 42. Inaddition, note that the one or more processing modules 42 may interfacewith one or more other devices, components, elements, etc. via one ormore communication links, networks, communication pathways, channels,etc.

In this diagram, the one or more DSCs 28 are configured to receive oneor more output electric power signals from a generator 4520 and toprocess those one or more output electric power signals that areprovided to load 4590 (e.g., which may be implemented as one or moreloads 4590). The generator 4520 is connected to a mechanical energysource 1810. The mechanical energy source 1810 may be any of a varietyof different types including a motor (e.g., such as operated based ongas, natural gas, diesel, etc. or some other fuel), a turbine (e.g.,such as operated based on steam, gas, natural gas, wind, water/hydro,etc.), etc. and/or any other type of mechanical energy source.

In an example in which the generator 4520 is implemented to output powersignals that are based on 3-phase power, there are three respective DSCs28 implemented to receive the three respective output electric powersignals. In certain examples that include 3-phase power including aneutral, a fourth DSC 28 may also and optionally be implemented in-lineof the neutral as well as may be desired in certain implementations. Inan example in which generator 4520 operates based on single phase power,there is one DSC 28 implemented to receive the single phase outputelectric power signal. Note that the number of output electric powersignals that are received corresponds to the number of DSCs 28 thatreceived those respective output electric power signals.

The generator 4520 is connected to the load 4590 via the one or moreDSCs 28. Note that the load 4590 may be any of a variety of componentsthat is driven or is operated on based on the one or more outputelectric power signals that are provided from the generator 4520 via theone or more DSCs 28. Note that the load 4590 of this diagram or anyother load referenced in other diagrams may be any of a variety of typesof machinery including a motor, factory assembly machinery, a drill, apump, a compressor, a turbine, a fan, etc. In this diagram as well asothers herein, generally speaking, any element implemented to receiveand consume electric power may be viewed as the load 4390.

In this diagram, the one or more DSCs 28 are implemented in an in-lineconfiguration with the one or more output electric power signals toperform conditioning, as desired and/or needed, to the one or moreelectric power signals that are provided to and received by the load4590. In addition, they are configured to adapt control of the one oroutput electric power signals being provided to the load 4590 from thegenerator 4520. The one or more DSCs 28 are configured to receive theoutput electric power signals, perform processing on them, to provideone or more conditioned output electric power signals to the load 4590and simultaneously to sense those one or more conditioned outputelectric power signals being provided to the load 4590. The one or moreDSCs 28 are configured to provide a variety of types of information tobe used by the one or more processing modules 42. For example, the oneor more DSCs 28 operating by sensing of the one or more conditionedoutput electric power signals to the load 4590 may provide informationto determine the amount of electric current being consumed by the load,the voltage of the load, the impedance of the load, and/or any change ofelectric current, voltage, impedance associated with the load. Inaddition, any characteristic associated with any of the current,voltage, impedance associate with the load may also be determined basedon information that is provided from the one or more DSCs 28 implementedto perform in-line sensing of the one or more conditioned outputelectric power signals that are provided to load 4590.

For example, considering an implementation in which the load 4590 is anelectric power grid, one or more transmission and distribution (T&D)networks, etc., based on the reactants of the transmission lines of sucha system, appropriate sensing by the one or more DSCs 28 of the one ormore conditioned output electric power signals that are being providedto the load 4590 may provide information to the one or more processingmodules 42 to be used to adapt operation of the one or more DSCs 28 toperform appropriate processing and conditioning of the one or moreoutput electric power signals from the generator 4522 facilitate moreefficient transmission of electric power via the electric power grid,one or more transmission and distribution (T&D) networks, etc. Inaddition, as also described with respect to other diagrams, examples,embodiments, etc. herein, such sensing by the one or more DSCs 28 of theone or more conditioned output electric power signals that are beingprovided to the load 4590 may provide information to the one or moreprocessing modules 42 to be used to adapt operation of the operation ofthe generator 4520, the mechanical energy source 1810, and/or one ormore other components within the system.

In some examples, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured todirect the one or more DSCs 28 to perform conditioning, adjusting,filtering, etc. of the one or more output electric power signals beingprovided to the load 4590. In other examples, the one or more processingmodules 42 is configured to direct the one or more DSCs 28 to providemore current (e.g., based on detection of a high or higher back-EMF, anincreased load, the rotor rotating at a slower speed than desired, etc.)or less current (e.g., based on detection of a low or lower back-EMF, adecreased load, the rotor rotating at a higher speed than desired, etc.)via the one or more output electric power signals being provided to theload 4590. Similarly, the voltage of the one or more output electricpower signals being provided from the one or more DSCs 28 to the load4590 may be adapted or modified accordingly based on suchconsiderations.

Generally speaking, the one or more processing modules 42 is configuredto direct the one or more DSCs 28 to perform adaptation of the one ormore output electric power signals provided to the load 4590. In someexamples, this involves modifying the amplitude or magnitude of thecurrent and/or voltage of the one or more output electric power signals.In other examples, this involves modifying the phase (e.g.,forward/advancing or backward/delaying) of the current and/or voltage ofthe one or more output electric power signals. In even other examples,this involves filtering of the one or more output electric power signals(e.g., low pass filtering, bandpass filtering, high pass filtering,and/or any combination of such filtering) to generate the one or moreoutput electric power signals. Note that such processing and filteringis performed in certain examples to compensate for and/or remove one ormore conditions affecting the one or more output electric power signals(e.g., noise, interference, undesired harmonics, glitches, etc.).

In yet other examples, the one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to direct the one or more DSCs 28 to increase the voltage orreduce the voltage of the one or more output electric power signalsbeing provided to the load 4590. In certain examples, the one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to direct operation of the one ormore DSCs 28 by modifying the one or more respective reference signalsbeing provided to the one or more DSCs 28. For example, based on the oneor more processing modules 42 adapting or modifying a reference signalthat is being provided to a DSC 28 will adapt operation of that DSC 28and thereby modify the output electric power signal being provided fromthat DSC 28 to the load 4590.

Generally speaking, any of the variety of information that may bedetermined based on analysis of the sensing of the one or more outputelectric power signals being provided to the load 4590 may be used toadapt operation of the one or more DSCs 28 by the one or more processingmodules 42 to control and/or adapt the operation of the load 4590.

FIG. 46 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 4600 ofgenerator output adaptation with in-line DSC in accordance with thepresent invention. This diagram has some similarities to the previousdiagram. For example, in this diagram, one or more processing modules 42is configured to communicate with and interact with one or moredrive-sense circuits (DSCs) 28. The one or more processing modules 42 iscoupled to the one or more DSCs 28 and is operable to provide control toand communication with the one or more DSCs 28. Note that the one ormore processing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/or becoupled to other memory. At least some of the memory stores operationalinstructions to be executed by the one or more processing modules 42. Inaddition, note that the one or more processing modules 42 may interfacewith one or more other devices, components, elements, etc. via one ormore communication links, networks, communication pathways, channels,etc. The one or more DSCs 28 are configured to receive one or moreoutput electric power signals and to process those one or more outputelectric power signals to generate one or more conditioned outputelectric power signals to be provided to the load 4590. The mechanicalenergy source 1810 is connected to the generator 4520 directly or viaone or more components coupling the mechanical energy source 1810 to thegenerator 4520.

This diagram also includes one or more additional DSCs 28 that areimplemented as sensors to monitor the drive signals that are output fromthe in-line DSCs 28 that receive the one or more output electric powersignals. In this diagram, these one or more additional DSCs 28 are shownas sensing and monitoring the one or more conditioned output electricpower signals from the one or more in-line DSCs 28 that provide the oneor more conditioned output electric power signals to the load 4590. Inother embodiments, note that these one or more additional DSCs 28 mayalternatively be implemented to sense and monitor the one or more outputelectric power signals that are provided from the generator 4520 (e.g.,monitoring and sensing the one or more inputs to the one or more in-lineDSCs 28 alternatively to or in addition to the monitoring and sensing ofthe one or more outputs from the one or more in-line DSCs 28).

These one or more additional DSCs 28 are also in communication with theone or more processing modules 42. In certain examples, these sensorimplemented DSCs 28 are connected to the drive signal lines output fromthe in-line DSCs 28 via one or more couplers 1660. As describedelsewhere herein, the couplers 1660 may be of any of a variety of typesthat provide one or more other signals to the sensor implemented DSCs 28that are representative of the one or conditioned output electric powersignals that are output from the in-line DSCs 28 and provided to theload 4590.

This diagram shows an alternative implementation in which a first one ormore in-line DSCs 28 is configured to perform adaptation and control ofthe one or more conditioned output electric power signals that areprovided to the load 4590 and a second one or more sensor implementedDSCs 28 is configured to perform sensing of the one or one or moreconditioned output electric power signals that are provided to the load4590. Note that different DSCs 28 in this diagram may be implemented toperform different operations. For example, the one or more in-line DSCs28 is configured to perform both the providing of the one or moreconditioned output electric power signals to the load 4590 and alsosimultaneously to perform sensing of those one or more conditionedoutput electric power signals to the load 4590 as the one or more sensorimplemented DSCs 28 is configured also to perform sensing of the one ormore conditioned output electric power signals. In another example, theone or more in-line DSCs 28 is configured to perform only the providingof the one or more conditioned output electric power signals to the load4590 as the one or more sensor implemented DSCs 28 is configured toperform sensing of the one or more conditioned output electric powersignals. In even other examples, the one or more sensor implemented DSCs28 is configured to operate to perform adaptation of the one or moreconditioned output electric power signals output from the in-line DSCs28 such that for any given drive signal that is provided to the load4590, a corresponding in-line DSC 28 and also another DSC 28 operatecooperatively to perform any modification or adaptation of thatrespective drive signal is provided to the load 4590.

FIG. 47 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 4700 ofgenerator output adaptation with in-line DSC in accordance with thepresent invention. This diagram has some similarities to the previousdiagram of FIG. 46 . For example, in this diagram, one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to communicate with and interactwith one or more drive-sense circuits (DSCs) 28. The one or moreprocessing modules 42 is coupled to the one or more DSCs 28 and isoperable to provide control to and communication with the one or moreDSCs 28. Note that the one or more processing modules 42 may includeintegrated memory and/or be coupled to other memory. At least some ofthe memory stores operational instructions to be executed by the one ormore processing modules 42. In addition, note that the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may interface with one or more other devices,components, elements, etc. via one or more communication links,networks, communication pathways, channels, etc. The one or more DSCs 28are configured to receive one or more output electric power signals fromthe generator 4520 and to process those one or more output electricpower signals to generate drive signals to be provided to load 4590. Themechanical energy source 1810 is connected to a generator 4520 directlyor via one or more components coupling the mechanical energy source 1810and the generator 4520.

This diagram also includes one or more additional DSCs 28 that areimplemented to interface to one or more sensors that provide additionalinformation regarding the mechanical energy source 1810 and thegenerator 4520. For example, one or more sensors 4780 to 4780-1 areimplemented and serviced via one or more DSCs 28 to provide informationregarding the generator 4520, and/or one or more sensors 4790 to 4790-1are implemented and serviced via one or more DSCs 28 to provideinformation regarding the mechanical energy source 1810. Note that thenumber and type of sensors implemented to provide information on themechanical energy source 1810 and the generator 4520 may be of a varietyof different types. Examples of such sensors implemented to provideinformation of the mechanical energy source 1810 and/or the generator4520 may include one or more of Hall effect sensors, optical speedsensors, temperature sensors, accelerometers such as may be implementedto monitor and detect for vibrations, etc. Similarly, such types ofsensors may also be implemented to provide information regarding theload 4590. In addition, based on the particular type of load 4590,appropriately tailored sensors may be implemented (e.g., rate of flowsensors for a pump application, pressure sensors for a compressorapplication, etc.).

This diagram shows an example in which additional information regardingthe status and operation of the mechanical energy source 1810 and/or thegenerator 4520 is provided to the one or more processing modules 42 beused to direct and control operation of the various DSCs 28 and possiblyincluding the one or more in-line DSCs 28 that provide the one or motorconditioned electric power output signals to the load 4590.

FIG. 48 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 4800 ofgenerator output adaptation with in-line DSC in accordance with thepresent invention. This diagram has some similarities to certain of theprevious diagrams. For example, in this diagram, one or more processingmodules 42 is configured to communicate with and interact with one ormore drive-sense circuits (DSCs) 28. The one or more processing modules42 is coupled to the one or more DSCs 28 and is operable to providecontrol to and communication with the one or more DSCs 28. Note that theone or more processing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/orbe coupled to other memory. At least some of the memory storesoperational instructions to be executed by the one or more processingmodules 42. In addition, note that the one or more processing modules 42may interface with one or more other devices, components, elements, etc.via one or more communication links, networks, communication pathways,channels, etc. The one or more DSCs 28 are configured to receive one ormore output electric power signals from the generator 4520 and toprocess those one or more output electric power signals to generatedrive signals to be provided to load 4590. The mechanical energy source1810 is connected to a generator 4520 directly or via one or morecomponents coupling the mechanical energy source 1810 and the generator4520.

This diagram also includes one or more additional DSCs 28 that areimplemented as sensors to monitor the one or more conditioned electricpower signals that are output from the in-line DSCs 28 that receive theone or more output electric power signals that are output from thegenerator 4520. Note that these one or more additional DSCs 28 may becoupled to the one or more drive signal lines output from the in-lineDSCs 28 via one or more couplers 1660.

This diagram shows an example in which additional information regardingthe one or more conditioned electric power signals output from one ormore in-line DSCs 28 as well as information regarding the status andoperation of the mechanical energy source 1810 and/or the generator 4520is provided to the one or more processing modules 42 be used to directand control operation of the various DSCs 28 and possibly including theone or more in-line DSCs 28 that provide the one or more conditionedelectric power signals to the load 4590.

FIG. 49 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a method4900 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention. The method 4900 may also be viewed as a method for executionby one or more devices to perform generator output adaptation within-line drive-sense circuit (DSC).

The method 4900 operates in step 4910 by operating a generator toprovide a plurality of output electric power signals. The method 4900also operates in step 4920 by operating a plurality of in-linedrive-sense circuits (DSCs) to receive the plurality of electric powersignals to generate a plurality of plurality of conditioned electricpower signals.

The method 4900 also operates in step 4920 by operating a plurality ofin-line drive-sense circuits (DSCs) to receive a plurality of inputelectrical power signals and to generate the plurality of motor drivesignals. This involves operating an in-line DSC of the plurality ofin-line DSCs for various operations including

This involves operating an in-line DSC of the plurality of in-line DSCsfor various operations including receiving an output electric powersignal of the plurality of output electric power signals in step 4922,processing the output electric power signal to generate a conditionedoutput electric power signal in step 4924, outputting the conditionedoutput electric power signal to a load via a single line andsimultaneously sensing the conditioned output electric power signal viathe single line in step 4926, detecting an effect on the conditionedoutput electric power signal that is based on an electricalcharacteristic of the load (and/or generator, and/or mech. energysource) based on the sensing of the conditioned output electric powersignal via the single line in step 4928, and generating a digital signalrepresentative of the electrical characteristic of the load in step4929.

The method 4900 also operates in step 4920 (e.g., by one or moreprocessing modules) by receiving the digital signal representative ofthe electrical characteristic of the load (and/or generator, and/ormech. energy source) from the in-line DSC of the plurality of in-lineDSCs in step 4940, processing the digital signal to determineinformation regarding one or more operational conditions of the load(and/or generator, and/or mech. energy source) in step 4950. Based onthe information regarding the one or more operational conditions of therotating equipment, the method 4900 also operates in step 4960 bydetermining whether to perform adaptation of the conditioned outputelectric power signal. Based on a determination to perform adaptation ofthe conditioned output electric power signal, the method 4900 alsooperates in step 4970 by identifying one or more adaptation operationsto be performed on the conditioned output electric power signal anddirecting the in-line DSC to perform the one or more adaptationoperations on the conditioned output electric power signal (e.g., byprocessing the output electric power signal to generate the conditionedoutput electric power signal) in step 4980.

Alternatively, based on a determination not to perform adaptation of themotor drive signal in step 4970, the method 4900 ends or alternativelyreturns to step 4910 and continues to perform the method 4900.

FIG. 50 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 5000 of generatoroutput signal monitoring and conditioning in accordance with the presentinvention. In this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to communicate with and interact with one or more drive-sensecircuits (DSCs) 28. The one or more processing modules 42 is coupled tothe one or more DSCs 28 and is operable to provide control to andcommunication with the one or more DSCs 28. Note that the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/or be coupled toother memory. At least some of the memory stores operationalinstructions to be executed by the one or more processing modules 42. Inaddition, note that the one or more processing modules 42 may interfacewith one or more other devices, components, elements, etc. via one ormore communication links, networks, communication pathways, channels,etc. In addition, the one or more DSCs 28 are configured to sense andmonitor one or more output electric power signals from the generator4520 and to process those one or more output electric power signals togenerate information that is provided to the one or more processingmodules 42. Also, the mechanical energy source 1810 is connected to agenerator 4520 directly or via one or more components coupling themechanical energy source 1810 and the generator 4520.

Also, in this diagram, an electric power conditioning module 5040, whichis in communication with the one or more processing modules 42, isconfigured to process the one or more output electric power signals thatare output from the generator 4522 generate one or more conditionedoutput electric power signals to be provided to the load 4590 (e.g.,which may include more than one load insert examples). The one or moreDSCs 28 that are implemented as sensors to monitor the drive signalsthat are input to the electric power conditioning module 5040 thatreceives the one or more output electric power signals that are providedfrom the generator 4520. Note that these one or more DSCs 28 may becoupled to the one or more output electric power signals output from thegenerator 4520 and provided to the electric power conditioning module5040 via one or more couplers 1660 (e.g., by operating in accordancewith any of the one or more characteristics of a coupler as describedherein, their equivalents, etc. and as may be desired in variousexamples).

In certain of the previous diagrams, one or more in-line DSCs areimplemented to perform output electric power signal processing togenerate the one or more conditioned output electric power signals thatare provided to the load 4590. In this diagram, the electric powerconditioning module 5040 is implemented to perform output electric powersignal processing of the one or more output electric power signalsgenerated by the generator 4520 to generate the one or more conditionedoutput electric power signals to be provided to the load 4590. Theelectric power conditioning module 5040 is configured to performprocessing of the one or more output electric power signals from thegenerator 4520 based on the control and direction provided from the oneor more processing modules 42 based on information provided from the oneor more DSCs 28 regarding the one or more output electric power signalsbeing provided from the generator 4520.

Generally speaking, such an implementation using an electric powerconditioning module 5040 is operative using means that are alternativeto in-line DSCs to perform such processing of the output electric powersignals for additional means in conjunction with in-line DSCs to performsuch processing of the output electric power signals to generate one ormore conditioned output electric power signals to be provided to theload 4590. The electric power conditioning module 5040 may beimplemented to perform any of a number of operations on the one or moreoutput electric power signals to generate the one or more conditionedoutput electric power signals that are provided to the load 4590.Examples of such modification of the one or more output electric powersignals may include any one or more of adjustment of the magnitude oramplitude of the voltage and/or current of the one or more outputelectric power signals, modification of the phase of the one or moreoutput electric power signals (e.g., advance or delay), filtering (e.g.,low pass filtering, bandpass filtering, high pass filtering, and/or anycombination thereof), reduction or removal of one or more effects on theone or more motor drive signals (e.g., noise, interference, undesiredharmonics, glitches, etc.).

In some examples, the electric power conditioning module 5040 isimplemented to include a number of discrete elements that may beselected based on one or more control signals provided from the one ormore processing modules 42. In an example, the electric powerconditioning module 5040 includes filter banks having differentproperties, and one or more of those filters is selected by the one ormore processing modules 42 to perform desired filtering on the one ormore output electric power signals. In a specific example, when the oneor more output electric power signals is adversely affected by one ormore of noise, interference, undesired harmonics, glitches, etc., theone or more processing modules 42 is configured to select one or morefilters from the filter banks element within the electric powerconditioning module 5040 to reduce or remove the adverse effects fromthe one or more output electric power signals.

In another specific example, when the one or more output electric powersignals is adversely affected by an overvoltage condition, the one ormore processing modules 42 is configured to select an appropriatescaling factor and element within the electric power conditioning module5040 (e.g., a voltage divider from among a number of available voltagedividers, to adjust a variable voltage divider to an appropriate value,etc.) so that the one or more conditioned output electric power signalsthat are provided to the load 4590 are done so in a manner that is inaccordance with the requirements, constraints, ranges etc. by which theload 4590 operates, requires, and/or is best suited for.

In another specific example, when the one or more output electric powersignals is adversely affected by an undervoltage condition such as avoltage sag, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured toselect an appropriate scaling factor and element within the electricpower conditioning module 5040 (e.g., an amplifier from among a numberof available amplifiers, to adjust a programmable gain amplifier to anappropriate value, etc.) so that the one or more conditioned outputelectric power signals that are provided to the load 4590 are done so ina manner that is in accordance with the requirements, constraints,ranges etc. by which the load 4590 operates, requires, and/or is bestsuited for.

In another specific example, when the one or more output electric powersignals is adversely affected by an out of phase condition, the one ormore processing modules 42 is configured to select an appropriate phaseadjustment value and element within the electric power conditioningmodule 5040 (e.g., a phase delay element implemented to delay a signalby an appropriate value, a phase advancement element implemented toadvance a signal by an appropriate value, a programmable phaseadjustment element that is adjusted to an appropriate value, etc.) sothat the one or more conditioned output electric power signals that areprovided to the load 4590 are done so in a manner that is in accordancewith the requirements, constraints, ranges etc. by which the load 4590operates, requires, and/or is best suited for.

Generally speaking, this diagram shows an implementation by which one ormore DSCs 28 are implemented to perform sensing of the one or moreoutput electric power signals that are being provided from the generator4520 in electric power conditioning module 5040 and are implemented toprovide information to one or more processing modules 42 that isconfigured to adapt operation of the electric power conditioning module5040 to ensure that the one or more output electric power signals thatare being provided from the generator 4520 have desired properties forthe application. This diagram shows the feedforward implementation inwhich one or more output electric power signals output from thegenerator 4520 are sensed by the one or more DSCs 28, informationgenerated based on that sensing is provided to the one or moreprocessing modules 42, and the one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to adapt operation of the electric power conditioning module5040 to process those output from the electric power conditioning module5040 as needed, desired, etc.

FIG. 51 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 5100 ofgenerator output signal monitoring and conditioning in accordance withthe present invention. This diagram as many similarities to the previousdiagram with at least one difference being that one or more DSCs 28 areimplemented to perform sensing of the one or more output electric powersignals after they are received and processed by the electric powerconditioning module 5040. This diagram shows a feedback implementationin which the one or more conditioned output electric power signals thatare output from the electric power conditioning module 5040 are sensedby the one or more DSCs 28, information generated based on that sensingis provided to the one or more processing modules 42, and the one ormore processing modules 42 is configured to adapt operation of theelectric power conditioning module 5040. As in other diagrams, note thatthe one or more DSCs 28 that are implemented to perform sensing of theone or more output electric power signals may be implemented to receiveone or more signals via one or more couplers 1660 (e.g., by operating inaccordance with any of the one or more characteristics of a coupler asdescribed herein, their equivalents, etc. and as may be desired invarious examples).

FIG. 52 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 5200 ofgenerator output signal monitoring and conditioning in accordance withthe present invention. This diagram as many similarities to certain ofthe previous diagrams with at least one difference being that a firstone or more DSCs 28 are implemented to perform sensing of the one ormore output electric power signals before they are received by theelectric power conditioning module 5040 and a second one or more DSCs 28are implemented perform sensing of the one or more conditioned outputelectric power signals that are output from the electric powerconditioning module 5040 and provided to the load 4590.

This diagram shows a combination feedback and feedforward implementationin which the one or more output electric power signals output from thegenerator 4520 are sensed by the first one or more DSCs 28 and the oneor more conditioned output electric power signals output from theelectric power conditioning module 5040 are sensed by the second one ormore DSCs 28, information generated based on the sensing as performed bythe first one or more DSCs 28 and the second one or more DSCs 28 isprovided to the one or more processing modules 42, and the one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to adapt operation of the electricpower conditioning module 5040. As in other diagrams, note that thefirst second one or more DSCs 28 that are implemented to perform sensingof the one or more output electric power signals and/or the second oneor more DSCs 28 that are implemented to perform sensing of the one ormore conditioned output electric power signals output from the electricpower conditioning module 5040 may be implemented to receive one or moresignals via one or more couplers 1660 (e.g., by operating in accordancewith any of the one or more characteristics of a coupler as describedherein, their equivalents, etc. and as may be desired in variousexamples).

FIG. 53 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 5300 ofgenerator output signal monitoring and conditioning in accordance withthe present invention. This diagram as many similarities to the previousdiagrams with at least one difference being that one or more sensors4780 to 4780-1 are implemented to provide information regarding thegenerator 4520 to the one or more processing modules 42 and/or one ormore sensors 4790 to 4790-1 are implemented to provide informationregarding the mechanical energy source 1810 to the one or moreprocessing modules 42.

In some examples, note that the respective one or more sensors 4780 to4780-1 and/or the respective one or more sensors 4790 to 4790-1 areserviced using respective DSCs 28. In certain particular examples, thesensor 4780 is in communication with a DSC 28 that is in communicationwith the one or more processing modules 42. Similarly, in certain otherexamples, the sensor 4790 is in communication with the DSC that is incommunication with the one or more processing modules 42. Generallyspeaking, one or more DSCs may be implemented to perform interactionwith the one or more sensors and to provide information from the one ormore sensors to the one or more processing modules 42 to be used therebyin accordance with adaptation of the operation of electric powerconditioning module 5040. This diagram shows an example by which notonly sensing of the one or more output electric power signals outputfrom the generator 4520 that are provided to the electric powerconditioning module 5040 and/or sensing of the one or more conditionedoutput electric power signals that are output from the electric powerconditioning module 5040 is made, and that information provided from oneor more sensors 4780 to 4780-1 and/or the one or more sensors 4790 to4790-1 is also provided to the one or more processing modules 42 to beused as desired in accordance with adapting operation of the electricpower conditioning module 5040.

FIG. 54 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 5400 of amethod for execution by one or more devices in accordance with thepresent invention. The method 5400 operates by operating one or moreDSCs for performing monitoring and sensing of one or more electric powersignals that are provided from a generator in step 5410.

The method 5400 continues by operating one or more processing modulesfor receiving information, via one or more DSCs, corresponding to one ormore electric power signals that are provided from the generator in step5420. For example, in a 3-phase electric power signal implementation bywhich the generator is implemented to output 3-phase electric power,three respective DSCs are implemented to provide informationcorresponding to the three respective electric power signals that areprovided to the rotating equipment.

Also, in some examples, one or more sensors, which may be serviced byone or more DSCs, are implemented to provide information regarding thestatus and operation of the generator itself and/or a mechanical energysource that is implemented to serve as the prime mover for thegenerator. Examples of such sensors implemented to provide informationof the generator and/or mechanical energy source may include one or moreof Hall effect sensors, optical speed sensors, temperature sensors,accelerometers such as may be implemented to monitor and detect forvibrations, etc. Similarly, such types of sensors may also beimplemented to provide information regarding the load. In such examplesin which one or more sensors are implemented to provide informationregarding the status and operation of the generator and/or themechanical energy source, the method 5400 also operates in step 5422 byoperating one or more processing modules for receiving information(e.g., via DSCs in some examples, directly from the sensors and otherexamples, etc.) corresponding to the status and operation of thegenerator and/or the mechanical energy source.

The method 5400 continues in step 5430 by operating one or moreprocessing modules to process the information for determining whetherany adaptation to the one or more electric power signals is needed.Based on an unfavorable comparison of the one or more electric powersignals (and/or the status and operation of the generator and/or themechanical energy source) to one or more operational criteria in step5440, the one or more processing modules operates by directing anelectric power conditioning module to perform one or more electric powersignal conditioning operations to the one or more electric power signalsin step 5450. Some examples of unfavorable comparison of the one or moreelectric power signals to one or more operational criteria may includeany one or more of the one or more electric power signals being ofimproper magnitude, improper phase, including an unacceptable amount ofnoise, interference, undesired harmonics, glitches, etc.

Some examples of unfavorable comparison of the status and operation ofthe generator and/or the mechanical energy source may include any one ormore of overtemperature (e.g., temperature of the rotating equipmentand/or load being above a prescribed or recommended upper temperature),under temperature (e.g., temperature of the rotating equipment and/orload being below a prescribed or recommended lower temperature),overspeed (e.g., the rotating equipment and/or load operating at fasterthan a prescribed or recommended speed), under speed (e.g., the rotatingequipment and/or load operating at slower than a prescribed orrecommended speed), slip of the rotating equipment (e.g., in a motoringapplication) being outside of a prescribed or recommended range, etc.

Some examples of modification of the one or more input electric powersignals may include any one or more of adjustment of the magnitude oramplitude of the voltage and/or current of the one or more inputelectric power signals, modification of the phase of the one or moreinput electric power signals (e.g., advance or delay), filtering (e.g.,low pass filtering, bandpass filtering, high pass filtering, and/or anycombination thereof), reduction or removal of one or more effects on theone or more motor drive signals (e.g., noise, interference, undesiredharmonics, glitches, etc.).

In some examples, the information regarding the electric power signalsis received by the one or more processing modules via one or morecouplers that perform one or more of scaling, division, electricalisolation, etc. and/or some other processing of the one or more electricpower signals to generate one or more other signals representative ofthe one or more electric power signals and these one or more othersignals are provided and sensed by the one or more DSCs. Note also thatthe information that is received by the one or more processing modulesmay be received from sensing of the one or more electric power signalsbefore and/or after the electric power conditioning module. Examples ofsuch one or more electric power signal conditioning operations mayinclude any one or more of adjustment of the magnitude or amplitude ofthe voltage and/or current of the one or more input electric powersignals, modification of the phase of the one or more input electricpower signals (e.g., advance or delay), filtering (e.g., low passfiltering, bandpass filtering, high pass filtering, and/or anycombination thereof), reduction or removal of one or more effects on theone or more motor drive signals (e.g., noise, interference, undesiredharmonics, glitches, etc.).

Alternatively, based on a favorable comparison of the one or moreelectric power signals (and/or the status and operation of the generatorand/or the mechanical energy source) to one or more operational criteriain step 5440, the method 5400 ends or continues such as by looping backand performing the operational step 5410 and continuing to perform themethod 5400.

FIG. 55 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 5500 of primemover and generator regulation based on output signal sensing inaccordance with the present invention. This diagram has somesimilarities to certain of the previous diagrams. For example, in thisdiagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configured to communicatewith and interact with one or more drive-sense circuits (DSCs) 28. Theone or more processing modules 42 is coupled to the one or more DSCs 28and is operable to provide control to and communication with the one ormore DSCs 28. Note that the one or more processing modules 42 mayinclude integrated memory and/or be coupled to other memory. At leastsome of the memory stores operational instructions to be executed by theone or more processing modules 42. In addition, note that the one ormore processing modules 42 may interface with one or more other devices,components, elements, etc. via one or more communication links,networks, communication pathways, channels, etc. In addition, the one ormore DSCs 28 are configured to sense and monitor one or more outputelectric power signals from the generator 4520 and to process those oneor more output electric power signals to generate information that isprovided to the one or more processing modules 42. Also, the mechanicalenergy source 1810 is connected to a generator 4520 directly or via oneor more components coupling the mechanical energy source 1810 and thegenerator 4520.

Also, in this diagram, a first one or more regulator modules 3050 is incommunication with the one or more processing modules 42 and isconfigured to adapt and direct operation of the mechanical energy source1810. Similarly, a second one or more regulator modules 3051 is incommunication with the one or more processing modules 42 and isconfigured to adapt and direct operation of the load 2090.

Generally speaking the one or more regulator modules 5551 is configuredto control operation of the mechanical energy source 1810 and/or one ormore associated components, and the one or more regulator modules 5550is configured to control operation of the generator 4520 and/or one ormore associated components. Considering the mechanical energy source1810, the rotational speed of the rotor of the mechanical energy source1810 may be adapted or adjusted by the one or more processing modules 42via the one or more regulator modules 5551. In an example in which themechanical energy source 1810 is a motor, a turbine, etc., the one ormore processing modules 42, via the one or more regulator modules 5551,is configured to adjust the speed thereof (e.g., such as increasingspeed, slowing speed such as braking, adjusting one or more operationalparameters associated with one or more components of the motor, turbine,etc.).

In addition, one or more components may be associated with themechanical energy source 1810. For example, the rotating equipment 1810may include or have associated one or more vents, air flow mechanismssuch as one or more cooling fans, environmental heating and/or coolingsuch as associated with an enclosed cover within which the mechanicalenergy source 1810 is located. The one or more processing modules 42,via the one or more regulator modules 5551 is configured to directoperation of any such associated components. For example, based oninformation provided via the sensing performed by the one or more DSCs28, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured to control oradjust, via the one or more regulator modules 5551, the operation of anysuch components associated with the mechanical energy source 1810. Inone example, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured, viathe one or more regulator modules 5551, provide more or less airflowsuch as by opening or closing one or more vents and/or adjustingoperation of one or more cooling fans. In another example, the one ormore processing modules 42 is configured, via the one or more regulatormodules 5551, adjust the temperature within an enclosure in which themechanical energy source 1810 is located such as by controlling theheating venting air conditioning (HVAC) of the inside of the enclosureas is appropriate.

In another example, considering the mechanical energy source 1810 to bea wind turbine, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured, viathe one or more regulator modules 5551, to adjust one or moreoperational parameters of the wind turbine such as the rate at which therotor of the turbine rotates such as via a braking mechanism, theangular position of the blades of the wind turbine, the yaw and/or pitchof the wind turbine, and/or any other operational parameter associatedwith the wind turbine.

In another example, considering the mechanical energy source to be ahydro turbine the one or more processing modules 42 is configured, viathe one or more regulator modules 5551, to adjust one or moreoperational parameters of the hydro turbine such as the waterflow goinginto and through the hydro turbine, the speed at which the hydro turbinerotates such as via a braking mechanism for increased waterflow, and/orany other operational parameter associated with the hydro turbine

Similarly, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured, via theother one or more regulator modules 5550, to control operation of thegenerator 4520 and/or one or more associated components. Similarly, asdescribed above with respect to the mechanical energy source 1810, thegenerator 4520 may include or have associated one or more vents, airflow mechanisms such as one or more cooling fans, environmental heatingand/or cooling such as associated with an enclosed cover within whichthe generator 4520 is located. The one or more processing modules 42,via the one or more regulator modules 5550 is configured to directoperation of any such associated components. For example, based oninformation provided via the sensing performed by the one or more DSCs28, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured to control oradjust, via the one or more regulator modules 5550, the operation of anysuch components associated with the generator 4520. In one example, theone or more processing modules 42 is configured, via the one or moreregulator modules 5550, provide more or less airflow such as by openingor closing one or more vents and/or adjusting operation of one or morecooling fans. In another example, the one or more processing modules 42is configured, via the one or more regulator modules 5550, adjust thetemperature within an enclosure in which the generator 4520 is locatedsuch as by controlling the heating venting air conditioning (HVAC) ofthe inside of the enclosure as is appropriate.

Generally speaking, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured,via the one or more regulator modules 5551, to control operation of themechanical energy source 1810 and/or one or more components associatedtherewith as well as, via the one or more regulator modules 5550, tocontrol operation of the generator 4520 and/or one or more componentsassociated therewith. In this diagram, the one or more processingmodules 42 is configured to effectuate such control based on informationreceived via the one or more DSCs 28 that are configured to sense theone or more input electric power signals that are being provided to themechanical energy source 1810. In addition, in some examples, note thatthe one or more regulator modules 5551 and/or the one or more regulatormodules 5550 are configured to effectuate control of one or morecomponents of the mechanical energy source 1810 and the generator 4520directly, via one or more DSCs that are configured to facilitate theoperation of those one or more components, etc. That is to say,communication with control of, and interaction with any one of thecomponents and/or associated components of the mechanical energy source1810 and/or generator 4520 may be facilitated via an appropriatelyimplemented DSC that interacts with the component. In such instances andin certain examples, note that the one or more regulator modules 5551and/or the one or more regulator modules 5550 may be configured not onlyto direct control of the one or more components, but also to senseinformation via the respective one or more control signal lines providedto the one or more components. The drive-sense functionality of a DSC 28as described herein is configured not only to drive a signal via asignal line to facilitate operation of a component but also to senseinformation regarding operation of the component via the signal line.

FIG. 56 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 5600 of primemover and generator regulation based on output signal sensing inaccordance with the present invention. This diagram as many similaritiesto the previous diagrams with at least one difference being that one ormore sensors 4780 to 4780-1 are implemented to provide informationregarding the generator 4520 to the one or more processing modules 42and/or one or more sensors 4790 to 4790-1 are implemented to provideinformation regarding the mechanical energy source 1810 to the one ormore processing modules 42.

In some examples, note that the respective one or more sensors 4780 to4780-1 and/or the respective one or more sensors 4790 to 4790-1 areserviced using respective DSCs 28. In certain particular examples, thesensor 4780 is in communication with a DSC 28 that is in communicationwith the one or more processing modules 42. Similarly, in certain otherexamples, the sensor 4790 is in communication with the DSC that is incommunication with the one or more processing modules 42.

In such an implementation, the one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured also to consider information provided via the one or moresensors 4780 to 4780-1 that are implemented to provide informationregarding the generator 4520 and/or the respective one or more sensors4790 to 4790-1 that are implemented to provide information regarding themechanical energy source 1810.

FIG. 57 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 5700 of primemover and generator regulation based on output signal sensing inaccordance with the present invention. This diagram as many similaritiesto certain of the previous diagrams (e.g., including electric powerconditioning module 5040, one or more DSCs 28 implemented to performsensing of signals being provided to or output from the electric powerconditioning module 5040, etc.) including that an electric powerconditioning module 5040 is implemented to process the one or moreoutput electric power signals to generate one or more conditioned outputelectric power signals that are provided to the generator 4520. Inaddition, as desired in certain examples, the first one or more DSCs 28(optionally connected via one or more couplers 1660) is configured tomonitor and sense the one or more output electric power signals that areprovided from the generator 4520 to the electric power conditioningmodule 5040 and/or a second one or more DSCs 28 (optionally connectedvia one or more couplers 1660) is configured to monitor and sense theone or more conditioned output electric power signals output from theelectric power conditioning module 5040 and provided to the load 4590.

This diagram shows an example by which sensing of the one or more inputelectric power signals into the electric power conditioning module 5040and/or sensing of the one or more conditioned output electric powersignals output from the electric power conditioning module 5040 may bemade to generate information of the signals being provided to and fromthe electric power conditioning module 5040, and that information isprovided to the one or more processing modules 42 to be used as desiredin accordance with adapting operation of any one or more of the electricpower conditioning module 5040, the one or more regulator modules 3050,and/or the one or more regulator modules 3051 to effectuate control ofany one or more of the components within the system.

FIG. 58 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 5800 of primemover and generator regulation based on output signal sensing inaccordance with the present invention. This diagram as many similaritiesto the previous diagram with at least one difference being that one ormore sensors 4780 to 4780-1 are also implemented to provide informationregarding the generator 4520 to the one or more processing modules 42and/or one or more sensors 4790 to 4790-1 are implemented to provideinformation regarding the mechanical energy source 1810 to the one ormore processing modules 42. The one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to receive information from the first one or more DSCs 28that are configured to sense and monitor the one or more input electricpower signals being provided to the electric power conditioning module5040, the one or more conditioned output electric power signals outputfrom the electric power conditioning module 5040, information providedvia the one or more sensors 4780 to 4780-1 that are implemented toprovide information regarding the generator 4520, and/or informationprovided via the one or more sensors 4790 to 4790-1 that are implementedto provide information regarding the mechanical energy source 1810 toeffectuate control of any one or more of the components within thesystem.

FIG. 59 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a method5900 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention. The method 5900 operates by operating one or more DSCs forperforming monitoring and sensing of one or more electric power signalsthat are provided from a generator in step 5910. The method 5900continues by operating one or more processing modules for receivinginformation, via one or more DSCs, corresponding to one or more electricpower signals that are provided from the generator in step 5920. Forexample, in a 3-phase electric power signal implementation by which thegenerator is implemented to output 3-phase electric power, threerespective DSCs are implemented to provide information corresponding tothe three respective electric power signals that are provided to therotating equipment.

Also, in some examples, one or more sensors, which may be serviced byone or more DSCs, are implemented to provide information regarding thestatus and operation of the generator itself and/or a mechanical energysource that is being serviced by the generator. Examples of such sensorsimplemented to provide information of the generator may include one ormore of Hall effect sensors, optical speed sensors, temperature sensors,accelerometers such as may be implemented to monitor and detect forvibrations, etc. Similarly, such types of sensors may also beimplemented to provide information regarding the mechanical energysource. In such examples in which one or more sensors are implemented toprovide information regarding the status and operation of the generatoritself and/or a mechanical energy source, the method 5900 also operatesin step 5922 by operating one or more processing modules for receivinginformation (e.g., via DSCs in some examples, directly from the sensorsand other examples, etc.) corresponding to the status and operation ofthe generator and/or the mechanical energy source.

The method 5900 continues in step 5930 by operating one or moreprocessing modules to process the information for determining whetherany adaptation to the operation of the generator and/or mechanicalenergy source is needed. Based on an unfavorable comparison of the oneor more electric power signals (and/or the status and operation of thegenerator and/or the mechanical energy source) to one or moreoperational criteria in step 5940, the one or more processing modulesoperates by directing, via one or more regulator modules, adaptation ofthe generator and/or mechanical energy source in step 5950. Someexamples of unfavorable comparison of the one or more electric powersignals to one or more operational criteria may include any one or moreof the one or more electric power signals being of improper magnitude,improper phase, including an unacceptable amount of noise, interference,undesired harmonics, glitches, etc.

Some examples of modification of the one or more input electric powersignals may include any one or more of adjustment of the magnitude oramplitude of the voltage and/or current of the one or more inputelectric power signals, modification of the phase of the one or moreinput electric power signals (e.g., advance or delay), filtering (e.g.,low pass filtering, bandpass filtering, high pass filtering, and/or anycombination thereof), reduction or removal of one or more effects on theone or more motor drive signals (e.g., noise, interference, undesiredharmonics, glitches, etc.).

Some examples of unfavorable comparison of the status and operation ofthe generator and/or mechanical energy source may include any one ormore of overtemperature (e.g., temperature of the generator and/ormechanical energy source being above a prescribed or recommended uppertemperature), under temperature (e.g., temperature of the generatorand/or mechanical energy source being below a prescribed or recommendedlower temperature), overspeed (e.g., the generator and/or mechanicalenergy source operating at faster than a prescribed or recommendedspeed), under speed (e.g., the generator and/or mechanical energy sourceoperating at slower than a prescribed or recommended speed), slip of thegenerator being outside of a prescribed or recommended range, etc.

Some examples of directing adaptation (e.g., from the one or moreprocessing modules via the one or more regulator modules) of thegenerator and/or mechanical energy source may include any one or more ofadjusting the rotational speed of the rotor of the generator. Some otherexamples of directing adaptation (e.g., from the one or more processingmodules via the one or more regulator modules) of the generator and/ormechanical energy source may include any one or more of adjustingventing, air flow mechanisms such as one or more cooling fans,environmental heating and/or cooling such as associated with one or moreenclosed covers within which the generator and/or mechanical energysource is/are located, controlling or adjusting the operation of anysuch components associated with the generator and/or mechanical energysource, providing more or less airflow such as by opening or closing oneor more vents and/or adjusting operation of one or more cooling fansassociated with the generator and/or mechanical energy source, adjustingthe temperature within one or more enclosures in which the generatorand/or mechanical energy source is located such as by controlling theheating venting air conditioning (HVAC) of the inside of the enclosuresas is appropriate.

In some examples, the information regarding the electric power signalsis received by the one or more processing modules via one or morecouplers that perform one or more of scaling, division, electricalisolation, etc. and/or some other processing of the one or more electricpower signals to generate one or more other signals representative ofthe one or more electric power signals and these one or more othersignals are provided and sensed by the one or more DSCs. Note also thatthe information that is received by the one or more processing modulesmay be received from sensing of the one or more electric power signalsbefore and/or after the electric power conditioning module. Examples ofsuch one or more electric power signal conditioning operations mayinclude any one or more of adjustment of the magnitude or amplitude ofthe voltage and/or current of the one or more input electric powersignals, modification of the phase of the one or more input electricpower signals (e.g., advance or delay), filtering (e.g., low passfiltering, bandpass filtering, high pass filtering, and/or anycombination thereof), reduction or removal of one or more effects on theone or more motor drive signals (e.g., noise, interference, undesiredharmonics, glitches, etc.).

Alternatively, based on a favorable comparison of the one or moreelectric power signals (and/or the status and operation of the generatorand/or the mechanical energy source) to one or more operational criteriain step 5940, the method 5900 ends or continues such as by looping backand performing the operational step 5910 and continuing to perform themethod 5900.

In addition, in certain examples, note that both operation related todirecting adaptation (e.g., from the one or more processing modules viathe one or more regulator modules) of the generator and/or mechanicalenergy as well as directing adaptation of the one or more electric powersignals may both be performed within an alternative method that not onlyperforms regulation of the operation of the generator and/or mechanicalenergy but also electric power conditioning of the one or more electricpower signals output from the generator.

FIG. 60A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 6001 of a windturbine operative in accordance with the present invention. Generallyspeaking, a wind turbine is an electric power generating system in whichthe mechanical energy source is based on rotating blades attached to therotor that is used to drive a generator either via a direct connectionbetween the rotor of the wind turbine or via one or more coupling means,such as the gearbox. From certain perspectives, a wind turbine operatesin the opposite manner as a fan, in that, as the wind facilitatesrotation of the rotor of the wind turbine, that rotating mechanicalenergy is harnessed to drive the rotor of a generator. As the wind turnsthe blades of the wind turbine, and as that rotating mechanical energydrives the rotor of the generator, the generator outputs electric power.

Wind turbines may be implemented in a number of different ways and in anumber of different locations and installations. For example, some windturbines are installed on the ground, while others are installedoffshore open (e.g., such as installed and mounted on the floor of anocean, lake, etc.). Generally speaking, wind turbines are installed inlocations prone to have a regular amount of wind. In this diagram, andwind turbine is shown as including an number of blades connected to arotor that is mounted to a nacelle/chassis at the top of thetower/pedestal. Again, note that such a wind turbine maybe mounted atground level (e.g., in a non-water installation) for mounted to a sea orlake bottom such as in a water installation.

In some examples, the nacelle/chassis located at the top of thetower/pedestal includes a number of components of the wind turbine andgenerator system. In addition, certain components are also implementedwithin the tower/pedestal to facilitate operation of the wind turbine.For example, the nacelle/chassis may be implemented to include thegenerator itself, various other components including directional controlof the wind turbine so as to facilitate directing it into the directionfrom which the wind is coming, adjustment of various parameters such aspitch and yaw of the nacelle/chassis, various environmental sensingcomponents such as wind direction sensors, wind speed sensors,temperature sensors, humidity sensors, etc., one or more gearboxes thatfacilitate coupling between the rotor of the wind turbine and the rotorof the generator, one or more processing modules to facilitate controlof the various components of the wind turbine, etc.

FIG. 60B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 6002 of one ormore wind turbines operative in accordance with the present invention.This diagram shows one or more wind turbines implemented in a system inwhich they provide electric power signals to a substation 6020 (e.g.,such as including one or more transformers implemented to up convert theoutput electric power signals from the one or more wind turbines to anappropriate voltage for delivery, transmission, and consumption withinan electric power grid that includes one or more transmission anddistribution (T&D) networks 6099). Note that any one individual windturbine may be implemented to output electric power of a particular typesuch as single phase, 3-phase, single or 3-phase including a neutral,etc. In some examples, three different respective wind turbines areimplemented each individually to output single phase electric power, andin combination, those three different respective wind turbines provide3-phase electric power. In other examples, each individual wind turbineis implemented to output 3-phase electric power.

The tower/pedestal includes appropriate cabling to deliver the one ormore output electric power signals from the generator of the windturbine to the substation 6020. In addition, in some instances, one ormore communication lines are included within the tower/pedestal tofacilitate communication and control of one or more components of thewind turbine from a remote location. In some instances, a control housethat is remotely located from the one or more wind turbines is incommunication with the one or more wind turbines and facilitates theircontrol and operation.

FIG. 61 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 6100 of windturbine generation system control feedback and adaptation in accordancewith the present invention. This diagram shows further details of someof the various components that may be implemented within a wind turbine.A nacelle/chassis 6101 is located at the top of the tower/pedestal 6150.The nacelle/chassis 6101 is also coupled to a rotor 6114 having adesired number of blades 6112 attached thereto. In some examples, a windturbine includes three blades 6112 attached to the rotor 6114. Thenacelle/chassis 6101 also includes an anemometer 6162 configured toprovide information regarding wind speed and a wind vane 6164 configuredto provide information regarding wind direction. The number ofadditional environmental sensors may also be implemented within or onthe nacelle/chassis 6101.

In this diagram, the rotor 6114 is coupled to a rotor pitch controller6114 and a low-speed shaft that connects to a gearbox 6142. The gearbox6142 is configured to provide coupling to a high-speed shaft thatcouples to a rotor of a generator 4520. In some examples, the gearbox6142 is configurable to effectuate the coupling between the low-speedshaft in a high-speed shaft in any one of a number of desired ratios,shown as ratio 1 through ratio n. Note that some wind turbines operatesynchronously such that the rate of rotation of the rotor of the windturbine is same as the rate of rotation of the rotor of the generatorassociated therewith. In such instances, the ratio of the gearbox 6142is 1. In some alternative implementations, the wind turbine does notinclude a gearbox 6142 and the rotor of the wind turbine is coupled tothe rotor of the generator and they operate synchronously with oneanother such that the rate of rotation of the rotor 6114 is same as therate of rotation of the rotor of the generator 4520.

Depending on the rate of rotation of the rotor 6114 and the low-speedshaft, the gearbox 6142 maybe control to operate based on a given ratioto ensure appropriate rotational speed of the high-speed shaft thatcouples to the rotor of the generator 4520. A braking mechanism 6122 isconfigured to perform braking operations on the low-speed shaft. In someexamples, a braking mechanism 6123 is also implemented to performbraking operations on the high-speed shaft. A blade angle controller6118 is implemented to control the angular position of the blades 6112as they are attached to the rotor 6114. In addition, within thetower/pedestal 6150, a yaw motor drive and motor 6152 is implemented tocontrol the direction in which the rotor 6114 of the wind turbine isdirected (e.g., such as to facilitate directing the rotor 6114 directlyinto the direction from which the wind is coming).

Also, in this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configuredto communicate with and interact with one or more drive-sense circuits(DSCs) that are in communication with the various components of the windturbine. The one or more processing modules 42 is coupled to the one ormore DSCs and is operable to provide control to and communication withthe one or more DSCs. Note that the one or more processing modules 42may include integrated memory and/or be coupled to other memory. Atleast some of the memory stores operational instructions to be executedby the one or more processing modules 42. In addition, note that the oneor more processing modules 42 may interface with one or more otherdevices, components, elements, etc. via one or more communication links,networks, communication pathways, channels, etc.

In addition, note that the one or more processing modules 42 may be incommunication with one or more of the various components of the windturbine directly (e.g., not via a DSC 28). That is to say, the one ormore processing modules 42 may be in communication with one or more ofthe various components of the wind turbine via one or more DSCs 28 andalso be in communication with another one or more of the variouscomponents of the wind turbine directly (e.g., not via a DSC 28). Inaddition, the one or more processing modules 42 may be in communicationvia one or more DSCs with one or more sensors implemented within thewind turbine to provide information regarding environmental conditions,status of operation of one or more components of the wind turbine,status regarding various electrical and/or electric power signals of thewind turbine including the output electric power signals provided fromthe generator 4520, etc. Generally speaking, the communication andinter-connectivity between the one or more processing modules 42 and theone or more of the various components of the wind turbine is shown in inthe diagram via the one or more connections depicted by “A”. Again, insome examples, note that this communication and inter-connectivity maybe implemented using one or more DSCs.

For example, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured tocommunicate with, interact with, receive information from, and/orprovide control signaling to the one or more components of the windturbine. For example, based on information regarding wind speed and/orwind directionality as provided from the anemometer 6162 and/or the windvane 6164, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured to changethe direction of the wind turbine by providing appropriate controlsignaling to the yaw motor drive and motor 6152 and/or the pitch of thewind turbine by providing appropriate control signaling to the rotorpitch controller 6114. Based on information regarding rotation of thelow-speed shaft being greater than a desired rotational rate, the one ormore processing modules 42 is configured to facilitate slowing of thelow-speed shaft by providing appropriate control signaling the brakingmechanism 6122. In general, the communication interfacing between theone or more processing modules 42 in the various components of the windturbine may be facilitated via one or more DSCs.

In addition, one or more DSCs may be implemented to perform processing,conditioning, sensing, etc. of any of the various electrical signalswithin the wind turbine including the output electric power signalsprovided from the generator 4520. Also, in some examples, one or moresensors are implemented on and/or associated one or more components ofthe wind turbine. The one or more processing modules 42 is configured toreceive information from the various sensors and use that information inthe control and operation of the wind turbine.

Moreover, with respect to the generator 4520, any of the one or morevarious examples, embodiments, etc. as described herein directed towardsprocessing, conditioning, etc. of the one or more output electric powersignals provided from the generator (e.g., such as with respect to oneor more in-line DSCs, one or more sensor implemented DSCs, operation inaccordance with an electric power conditioning module, etc.) and/orsensors implemented on and/or associated with the generator 4520 and/orthe mechanical energy source 1810, which in this case is the windturbine, may also be implemented with respect to the wind turbine. Theuse of one or more appropriately implemented DSCs facilitate the one ormore processing modules 42 to improve the efficiency of the wind turbineincluding appropriately adapting operation of the one or more componentsthereof (e.g., controlling and adapting as needed the appropriate gearratio of the gearbox 6142, the directionality of the wind turbine usingthe yaw motor drive and motor 6152 and/or the rotor pitch controller6116, controlling the rotational speed of the low-speed shaft and/or thehigh-speed shaft, etc.).

FIG. 62 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 6200 of windturbine generation system control feedback and adaptation in accordancewith the present invention. This diagram shows one or more processingmodules 42 in communication with various elements of the wind turbineincluding the rotor pitch controller 6116, braking mechanism 6122(and/or braking mechanism 6123), gearbox 6142, blade angle controller6118, generator controller and one or more sensors 6121, yaw motor driveand motor 6152, wind vane 6164, anemometer 6162 to provide informationregarding wind speed, and/or any other components or elements 6199 ofthe wind turbine 6199.

Also, in this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configuredto communicate with and interact with one or more drive-sense circuits(DSCs) that are in communication with at least some of the variouscomponents of the wind turbine. The one or more processing modules 42 iscoupled to the one or more DSCs and is operable to provide control toand communication with the one or more DSCs. Note that the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/or be coupled toother memory. At least some of the memory stores operationalinstructions to be executed by the one or more processing modules 42. Inaddition, note that the one or more processing modules 42 may interfacewith one or more other devices, components, elements, etc. via one ormore communication links, networks, communication pathways, channels,etc.

In an example of operation and implementation, sensor information,sensor related information, information from the one or more DSCs, etc.is received by the one or more processing modules 42. The one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to perform processing, at adaptationdetermination, etc. as may be required or desired for any of the one ormore components of the wind turbine. Based on the determination toperform adaptation of one or more of the components, the one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to communicate with those one ormore components of the wind turbine to adapt the operation thereof. Inaddition, in some examples, the one or more processing modules 42 isalso configured to direct one or more components to processing,conditioning, etc. of the one or more output electric power signalsprovided from the generator 4520.

FIG. 63 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a method6300 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention. The method 6300 operates in step 6310 by operating one ormore processing modules for directing and controlling operation of oneor more components of a wind turbine. In addition, the method 6300continues in step 6320 by operating the one or more processing modulesfor communicating with and interacting with one or more DSCs that are incommunication with at least some of the various components of the windturbine. In various examples, the one or more DSCs are implemented toservice the control signals being provided to the one or more componentsof the wind turbine, are implemented to service one or more sensors ortransducers that are implemented to provide information regarding theoperation and status of one or more components of the wind turbine, etc.In addition, in other examples, note that the one or more processingmodules are directly in communication with certain of the components ofthe wind turbine without being in communication with such components viaDSCs.

The method 6300 continues by operating one or more processing modulesfor receiving information, via one or more DSCs and/or directly from theone or more sensors or one or more components of the wind turbine,corresponding to the operation and status of one or more components ofthe wind turbine, etc. in step 6330. In some examples, know that the oneor more processing modules is configured to determine information basedinformation that is related to a change of an electrical characteristicof a control signal that is provided via a DSC to a particular componentof the wind turbine. For example, when a DSC is implemented tofacilitate the delivery of a control signal from the one or moreprocessing modules to a particular component of the wind turbine, thatparticular DSC is configured to provide feedback and information to theone or more processing modules to be used by the one or more processingmodules to determine the operation status of that particular component.In addition, when a DSC is implemented to facilitate delivery ofinformation regarding the status or operation of sensor, that particularDSC is configured to provide feedback and information to the one or moreprocessing modules to be used by the one or more processing modules todetermine the value of the particular parameter that is being senses bythat sensor.

The method 6300 continues in step 6340 by operating one or moreprocessing modules for processing the information provided via the oneor more DSCs, provided directly from the one or more sensors, provideddirectly from the one or more components of the wind turbine, etc. fordetermining whether any adaptation to the operation any one or more ofthe components of the wind turbine is needed. Based on an unfavorablecomparison of the information received to one or more operationalcriteria in step 6350, the one or more processing modules operates bydirecting adaptation of the operation of one or more of the componentsof the wind turbine in step 6360.

Some examples of unfavorable comparison of the information received tothe one or more operational criteria may include any one or more of thewind turbine not being appropriately directed into the direction of theincoming wind, an overspeed or under speed indication of any one or moreof a rotor of the wind turbine, a low-speed shaft, a high-speed shaft,the rotor of the generator, etc., an under temperature or overtemperature of one of the components of the wind turbine, etc.

Some examples of modification of the operation of the one or morecomponents of the wind turbine may include any one or more of adjustingthe rotational speed of the rotor of the generator or the rotationalspeed of the rotor of the wind turbine, the ratio operative within agearbox of the wind turbine, adapting the direction, yaw, pitch, and/oryaw of the wind turbine, engaging one or more braking mechanisms tofacilitate slowing of one of the rotational components of the windturbine, adjusting the blade angle of the blades of the wind turbine,etc., facilitating venting, heating, cooling, HVAC, etc. to correct anunder temperature or over temperature condition associated with one ormore of the components of the wind turbine to bring them withinspecified or recommended operational range, etc.

Alternatively, based on a favorable comparison of the informationreceived to the one or more operational criteria in step 6350, themethod 6300 ends or continues such as by looping back and performing theoperational step 6310 and continuing to perform the method 6300.

Hydro turbines and steam turbines are other types of mechanical energysources that may be used to drive the rotor of a generator. With respectto such hydro turbines and steam turbines, two mechanisms by which theyoperate include impulse and reaction.

FIG. 64A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 6401 of blades ofan impulse hydro turbine or steam turbine in accordance with the presentinvention. Within an impulse turbine, a waterjet in the case of animpulse hydro turbine (or a steam jet in the case of a steam turbine),such as from a high-power or high pressure nozzle, is directed towardsthe buckets/blades of the impulse turbine. This fast-moving fluid, suchas water or steam, is directed at the turbine blades and facilitatesrotation of the turbine. With respect to an impulse turbine, the bladesare often described as bucket-shaped such that they are implemented toharness the energy of the fluid jet to facilitate rotation of theimpulse turbine and to deflect the fluid. In some instances, the fluidis deflected away from the impulse turbine. In other instances, thefluid is deflected back in the direction of the nozzle from which itcame.

In some examples, an appropriately implemented one or more DSCs that isconfigured to control the nozzle that operates within such an impulseturbine (e.g., controlling the speed, pressure, etc. of the waterjetthat is emitted from a nozzle) and/or that is configured to sense theoperation of the nozzle (e.g., since the speed, pressure, etc. of thewaterjet that is emitted from the nozzle), such as in an implementationin which the water is deflected back in the direction of the nozzle, theone or more DSCs can generate information regarding the energy transferfrom the waterjet to the buckets/blades of the impulse turbine.

FIG. 64B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 6402 of blades ofa reaction hydro turbine or steam turbine in accordance with the presentinvention. In a reaction hydro turbine or steam turbine, the water inthe case of a reaction hydro turbine (or steam in the case of a steamturbine) passes over or through the blades of the turbine. This water orsteam passing over through the blades of the turbine facilitatesrotation of the turbine. Note that a reaction hydro turbine or steamturbine does not change the direction of the flow the water or steam.The turbine is rotated as the water or steam passes through it blades.

FIG. 65 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 6500 of a hydroturbine generation system operative in accordance with the presentinvention. Generally speaking, a hydro turbine 6524 may be viewed as amechanical energy source or prime mover that is configured to harnessthe kinetic energy of moving water and to transform that kinetic energyinto mechanical energy to be used to facilitate rotation of the rotor ofa generator 4520. For example, with respect to the amount of mechanicalenergy provided from descending water, a cubic meter of water descending1 m can provide approximately 9800 J of mechanical energy. Similarly, aflow of a cubic meter of water per second descending 1 m corresponds to9800 W of power. The hydro turbine 6524 harnesses the kinetic energy ofthe moving water and translates that into mechanical energy therebyserving as a mechanical energy source for the generator 4520.

This diagram shows a hydro turbine generation system in which a sourceof water 6590 provides water that travels through an inlet tunnel 6582down a penstock 6588 and into the Hydro turbine 6524 and then out via anoutlet tunnel 6589 to a collector of water 6591. Generally speaking, therespective source and collector of water 6590 and 6591 may be viewed asan upper pool and a lower pool, and they may be reservoirs, lakes,rivers, holding tanks, etc.

In general, such a hydro turbine generation system may be viewed ashaving to components that operate in co-option with one another, thehydro system and the electric power generation system. The hydraulicsystem includes the hydro turbine 6524, the source and collector ofwater 6590 and 6591, the respective inlet tunnel 6582, the penstock6588, the outlet, 6589, the surge tank 6584, and the air inlet/airrelease valves 6586. The electric power generation system componentsinclude the generator 4520 that is driven by the hydro turbine 6524.

Effective operation of the hydro turbine generation system is verysignificantly affected by control of the flow of water from the sourceof water 6590 to the collector of water 6591. A surge tank 6584 is oftenused in implementations in which the distance between the source ofwater 6590 to the collector of water 6591 is quite large. The surge tank6584 operates to isolate the hydro turbine 6524 from adverse effects ofthe traveling water such as water hammer, which may be viewed as a highpressure rise in the water by stopping the flow of the water quickly.The surge tank 6584 provides a means by which any undesirable hydraulicoscillations, or traveling waves of pressure in the water, maybe reducedor dampened so as to facilitate effective control of the hydro turbine6524

In some examples, the hydro turbine 6524 and the generator 4520 areimplemented within a powerhouse 6522. The generator 4520 is configuredto generate one or more output electric power signals that are providedto an appropriate voltage for delivery, transmission, and consumptionwithin an electric power grid that includes one or more transmission anddistribution (T&D) networks 6099. As described elsewhere herein withrespect to other examples, embodiments, diagrams, the one or more outputelectric power signals may be provided to a substation configured to upconvert the output electric power signals from the hydro turbinegeneration system to an appropriate voltage for delivery, transmission,and consumption within an electric power grid that includes one or moretransmission and distribution (T&D) networks 6099.

FIG. 66 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 6600 of hydroturbine generation system control feedback and adaptation in accordancewith the present invention. This diagram shows additional detailsregarding a hydro turbine generation system including one or moreprocessing modules 42 that is configured to communicate with andinteract with one or more drive-sense circuits (DSCs) that are incommunication with at least some of the various components of the hydroturbine generation system. The one or more processing modules 42 iscoupled to the one or more DSCs and is operable to provide control toand communication with the one or more DSCs. Note that the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/or be coupled toother memory. At least some of the memory stores operationalinstructions to be executed by the one or more processing modules 42. Inaddition, note that the one or more processing modules 42 may interfacewith one or more other devices, components, elements, etc. via one ormore communication links, networks, communication pathways, channels,etc.

In a reaction turbine implementation, one or more valves or wicket gates6585 is configured to control water flow associated with the hydroturbine 6524. For example, the valves or wicket gates 6585 is configuredto control the flow into the hydro turbine 6524 to control the flow ofwater over her through the blades of the hydro turbine 6524. In animpulse turbine implementation, a waterjet controller 6586 is configuredto control the waterjet that is provided to the buckets/blades of theimpulse turbine.

The hydro turbine 6524 includes a turbine stator 6584 and a turbinerotor 6582. Generally speaking, the turbine stator 6584 may be viewed asthe component or housing in which the turbine rotor 6582 is contained.The turbine rotor 6582 is coupled to a rotor 6512 of the generator 4520.In certain examples, this coupling is the a gearbox 6542 that isconfigured to provide appropriate mechanical interfacing between theturbine rotor 6582 and the rotor 6512 of the generator 4520. In someexamples, the gearbox 6542 is configurable to effectuate the couplingbetween the turbine rotor 6582 and the rotor 6512 of the generator 4520in any one of a number of desired ratios, shown as ratio 1 through ration. Note that some hydro turbine generation systems operate synchronouslysuch that the rate of rotation of the turbine rotor 6582 is same as therate of rotation of the rotor 6512 of the generator 4520. In suchinstances, the ratio of the gearbox 6142 is 1. In some alternativeimplementations, the hydro turbine generation system does not include agearbox 6542 and the rotor of the turbine rotor 6582 is coupled to therotor 6512 of the generator 4520, and they operate synchronously withone another such that the rate of rotation of the turbine rotor 6542 ofthe hydro turbine 6524 is same as the rate of rotation of the rotor 6512of the generator 4520. As the turbine rotor 6582 is rotated based onflow of water, the rotor 6512 the generator is 4520 will rotate therebygenerating output electric power via the stator 6514 of the generator4520.

In addition, in some examples, the hydro turbine 6524 includes one ormore of a braking mechanism 6588, a turbine blade controller 6589, andone or more water flow sensors 6587. The one or more processing modules42 is configured to communicate with and control operation of thebraking mechanism 6588, the turbine blade controller 6589, and the oneor more water flow sensors 6587. For example, in accordance withcontrolling the rate of rotation of the turbine rotor 6582, the one ormore processing modules 42 is configured to receive information from theone or more water flow sensors 6587 that are implemented to monitor forwater flow in and/or out of the hydro turbine 6524. As may be needed toslow the rate of rotation of the turbine rotor 6582, the one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to utilize the braking mechanism6588. In addition, in examples in which the angle of the turbine bladesis configurable and adjustable, the one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to control their angle to facilitate rotational rate controlof the turbine rotor 6582 via the turbine played controller 6589.Generally speaking, the one or more processing modules 42 is configuredto receive information from any one or more components of the hydroturbine generation system, to process that information, and to determineany control and adaptation that may need to be performed with respect tothe various components to facilitate proper operation of the hydroturbine generation system.

In addition, note that the one or more processing modules 42 may be incommunication with one or more of the various components of the hydroturbine generation system directly (e.g., not via a DSC 28). That is tosay, the one or more processing modules 42 may be in communication withone or more of the various components of the hydro turbine generationsystem via one or more DSCs 28 and also be in communication with anotherone or more of the various components of the hydro turbine generationsystem directly (e.g., not via a DSC 28). In addition, the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may be in communication via one or more DSCs withone or more sensors implemented within the hydro turbine generationsystem to provide information regarding environmental conditions, statusof operation of one or more components of the hydro turbine generationsystem, status regarding various electrical and/or electric powersignals of the hydro turbine generation system including the outputelectric power signals provided from the generator 4520, etc. Generallyspeaking, the communication and inter-connectivity between the one ormore processing modules 42 and the one or more of the various componentsof the hydro turbine generation system is shown in in the diagram viathe one or more connections depicted by “B”. Again, in some examples,note that this communication and inter-connectivity may be implementedusing one or more DSCs. Also, in some examples, one or more sensors areimplemented on and/or associated one or more components of the hydroturbine generation system. The one or more processing modules 42 isconfigured to receive information from the various sensors and use thatinformation in the control and operation of the hydro turbine generationsystem.

Moreover, with respect to the generator 4520, any of the one or morevarious examples, embodiments, etc. as described herein directed towardsprocessing, conditioning, etc. of the one or more output electric powersignals provided from the generator (e.g., such as with respect to oneor more in-line DSCs, one or more sensor implemented DSCs, operation inaccordance with an electric power conditioning module, etc.) and/orsensors implemented on and/or associated with the generator 4520 and/orthe mechanical energy source 1810, which in this case is the hydroturbine 6524, may also be implemented with respect to the hydro turbinegeneration system. The use of one or more appropriately implemented DSCsfacilitate the one or more processing modules 42 to improve theefficiency of the hydro turbine generation system includingappropriately adapting operation of the one or more components thereof(e.g., controlling and adapting as needed the appropriate gear ratio ofthe gearbox 6542, the rate of rotation of the turbine rotor 6582 such asby controlling water flow through the hydro turbine 6524, the angle ofthe turbine blades via the turbine blade controller 6589, slowing therate of rotation of the turbine rotor 6582 the of the braking mechanism6588, etc.).

FIG. 67 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 6700 of hydroturbine generation system control feedback and adaptation in accordancewith the present invention. This diagram shows one or more processingmodules 42 in communication with various elements of the hydro turbinegeneration system including one or more of one or more surge tanksensors 6784, one or more air release valve sensors and/or controllers6076, one or more in/out water flow sensors 6587, braking mechanism6588, gearbox 6542, turbine blade controller 6589, generator controllerand one or more associated generator sensors 6720, a valve/wicket gatecontroller 6785 such as for a reaction turbine, waterjet controller 6786such as for an impulse turbine, and/or any other components or elements6799 of the hydro turbine generation system.

Also, in this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configuredto communicate with and interact with one or more drive-sense circuits(DSCs) that are in communication with at least some of the variouscomponents of the hydro turbine generation system. The one or moreprocessing modules 42 is coupled to the one or more DSCs and is operableto provide control to and communication with the one or more DSCs. Notethat the one or more processing modules 42 may include integrated memoryand/or be coupled to other memory. At least some of the memory storesoperational instructions to be executed by the one or more processingmodules 42. In addition, note that the one or more processing modules 42may interface with one or more other devices, components, elements, etc.via one or more communication links, networks, communication pathways,channels, etc.

In an example of operation and implementation, sensor information,sensor related information, information from the one or more DSCs, etc.is received by the one or more processing modules 42. The one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to perform processing, at adaptationdetermination, etc. as may be required or desired for any of the one ormore components of the hydro turbine generation system. Based on thedetermination to perform adaptation of one or more of the components,the one or more processing modules 42 is configured to communicate withthose one or more components of the hydro turbine generation system toadapt the operation thereof. In addition, in some examples, the one ormore processing modules 42 is also configured to direct one or morecomponents to processing, conditioning, etc. of the one or more outputelectric power signals provided from the generator 4520.

FIG. 68 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a method6800 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention. The method 6800 operates in step 6810 by operating one ormore processing modules for directing and controlling operation of oneor more components of a hydro turbine. In addition, the method 6800continues in step 6820 by operating the one or more processing modulesfor communicating with and interacting with one or more DSCs that are incommunication with at least some of the various components of the hydroturbine. In various examples, the one or more DSCs are implemented toservice the control signals being provided to the one or more componentsof the hydro turbine, are implemented to service one or more sensors ortransducers that are implemented to provide information regarding theoperation and status of one or more components of the hydro turbine,etc. In addition, in other examples, note that the one or moreprocessing modules are directly in communication with certain of thecomponents of the hydro turbine without being in communication with suchcomponents via DSCs.

The method 6800 continues by operating one or more processing modulesfor receiving information, via one or more DSCs and/or directly from theone or more sensors or one or more components of the hydro turbine,corresponding to the operation and status of one or more components ofthe hydro turbine, etc. in step 6830. In some examples, know that theone or more processing modules is configured to determine informationbased information that is related to a change of an electricalcharacteristic of a control signal that is provided via a DSC to aparticular component of the hydro turbine. For example, when a DSC isimplemented to facilitate the delivery of a control signal from the oneor more processing modules to a particular component of the hydroturbine, that particular DSC is configured to provide feedback andinformation to the one or more processing modules to be used by the oneor more processing modules to determine the operation status of thatparticular component. In addition, when a DSC is implemented tofacilitate delivery of information regarding the status or operation ofsensor, that particular DSC is configured to provide feedback andinformation to the one or more processing modules to be used by the oneor more processing modules to determine the value of the particularparameter that is being senses by that sensor.

The method 6800 continues in step 6840 by operating one or moreprocessing modules for processing the information provided via the oneor more DSCs, provided directly from the one or more sensors, provideddirectly from the one or more components of the hydro turbine, etc. fordetermining whether any adaptation to the operation any one or more ofthe components of the hydro turbine is needed. Based on an unfavorablecomparison of the information received to one or more operationalcriteria in step 6850, the one or more processing modules operates bydirecting adaptation of the operation of one or more of the componentsof the hydro turbine in step 6860.

Some examples of unfavorable comparison of the information received tothe one or more operational criteria may include any one or more of thehydro turbine not having adequate flow of water to facilitate the properoperation of the hydro turbine, an overspeed or under speed indicationof any one or more of a rotor of the hydro turbine, the rotor of thegenerator, etc., an under temperature or over temperature of one of thecomponents of the hydro turbine, etc., water jet pressure being too highor too low in the instance of an impulse hydro turbine,

Some examples of modification of the operation of the one or morecomponents of the hydro turbine may include any one or more of adjustingthe rotational speed of the rotor of the generator or the rotationalspeed of the rotor of the hydro turbine, the ratio operative within agearbox of the hydro turbine, increasing or decreasing the water flow orwater jet pressure of the hydro turbine, engaging one or more brakingmechanisms to facilitate slowing of one of the rotational components ofthe hydro turbine, adjusting the blade angle of the blades of the hydroturbine, etc., facilitating venting, heating, cooling, HVAC, etc. tocorrect an under temperature or over temperature condition associatedwith one or more of the components of the hydro turbine to bring themwithin specified or recommended operational range, etc.

Alternatively, based on a favorable comparison of the informationreceived to the one or more operational criteria in step 6850, themethod 6800 ends or continues such as by looping back and performing theoperational step 6810 and continuing to perform the method 6800.

FIG. 69 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 6900 of steamturbine generation system control feedback and adaptation in accordancewith the present invention. In this diagram, the steam turbinegeneration system includes a mechanical energy source (e.g., primemover) that is a steam turbine 6936. This steam turbine 6936 is coupledto a generator 4520 via directly or via one or more components, such asone or more couplings, gearbox, etc. In some instances, the steamturbine 6936 operates synchronously with the generator 4520. Forexample, some steam turbine generation systems operate synchronouslysuch that the rate of rotation of the rotor of the steam turbine 6936 issame as the rate of rotation of the rotor of the generator 4520. In suchinstances, the ratio of a gearbox, when implemented, is 1. In somealternative implementations, the steam turbine generation system doesnot include a gearbox and the rotor of the steam turbine 6936 is coupledto the rotor of the generator 4520, and they operate synchronously withone another such that the rate of rotation of the rotor of the steamturbine 6936 is same as the rate of rotation of the rotor of thegenerator 4520. As the rotor of the steam turbine 6936 is rotated basedon flow of water, the rotor the generator is 4520 will rotate therebygenerating output electric power via the stator of the generator 4520.

The generator 4520 is configured to generate one or more output electricpower signals that are provided to an appropriate voltage for delivery,transmission, and consumption within an electric power grid thatincludes one or more transmission and distribution (T&D) networks 6099.As described elsewhere herein with respect to other examples,embodiments, diagrams, the one or more output electric power signals maybe provided to a substation configured to up convert the output electricpower signals from the hydro turbine generation system to an appropriatevoltage for delivery, transmission, and consumption within an electricpower grid that includes one or more transmission and distribution (T&D)networks 6099.

A number of additional components may be implemented within a steamturbine generation system. For example, water 6991 (e.g., such as may bestored in a pool, reservoir, tank, retrieved from a lake or river, etc.)operates to provide cooling water to a steam condenser 6938. Thewater/steam loop of the steam turbine generation system travels from asteam condenser 6938 to one or more pump component 6940 to a steamboiler 6932 that is heated using a heat source 6930 to generate steamthat is provided in a controlled manner to the steam turbine 6936 via asteam controller 6934. After being provided to the steam turbine 6936 tofacilitate rotation of the rotor of the steam turbine 6936, the steamreturns to the steam condenser 6938.

The heat source 6930 is implemented to heat the water using some desiredmeans. Examples of different types of heat source 6930 may include anuclear reactor implemented the heat the water to generate steam, afossil fuel plants (e.g., such as a coal-fired plant, and oil burningplant, a gas burning plant, a natural gas burning plant, etc.). In somealternative examples, a heat source 6930 operates by burning wood and/orbiomass fuels such as may be generated from wood, crops, garbage,renewable biofuels, agricultural waste, etc. In even other alternativeexamples, geothermal energy may be harnessed from the warm water and/orsteam emissions naturally occurring and solar thermal energy may be usedto generate steam. Generally speaking, any desired type of heat source6930 that is operative to heat the water to generate steam within thesteam boiler 6932 may be used within such a steam turbine generationsystem.

A steam controller 6934 is implemented to control the amount of steamthat is provided to the steam turbine 6936. For example, the steamcontroller 6934 may be implemented as one or more of a valve, gate, athrottle, etc. to control the amount of steam that is provided in acontrolled manner to the steam turbine 6936. Note that the streamturbine 6936 may be any one of a variety of types of steam turbines. Forexample, the steam turbine 6936 made include an impulse turbineconfiguration or a reaction turbine configuration with respect to theimplementation of the actual steam turbine 6936 itself and the bladesthereof. In addition, the steam turbine 6936 may be a multistage steamturbine such as having more than one stage (e.g., a high, medium, andlow pressure steam turbine stages). In addition, one or more additionalmechanisms such as a braking mechanism 6988 may be implemented to assistin the control of the rate of rotation of the rotor of the steam turbine6936.

Also, in this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configuredto communicate with and interact with one or more drive-sense circuits(DSCs) that are in communication with at least some of the variouscomponents of the steam turbine generation system. The one or moreprocessing modules 42 is coupled to the one or more DSCs and is operableto provide control to and communication with the one or more DSCs. Notethat the one or more processing modules 42 may include integrated memoryand/or be coupled to other memory. At least some of the memory storesoperational instructions to be executed by the one or more processingmodules 42. In addition, note that the one or more processing modules 42may interface with one or more other devices, components, elements, etc.via one or more communication links, networks, communication pathways,channels, etc.

In addition, note that the one or more processing modules 42 may be incommunication with one or more of the various components of the steamturbine generation system directly (e.g., not via a DSC 28). That is tosay, the one or more processing modules 42 may be in communication withone or more of the various components of the steam turbine generationsystem via one or more DSCs 28 and also be in communication with anotherone or more of the various components of the steam turbine generationsystem directly (e.g., not via a DSC 28). In addition, the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may be in communication via one or more DSCs withone or more sensors implemented within the steam turbine generationsystem to provide information regarding environmental conditions, statusof operation of one or more components of the steam turbine generationsystem, status regarding various electrical and/or electric powersignals of the steam turbine generation system including the outputelectric power signals provided from the generator 4520, etc. Generallyspeaking, the communication and inter-connectivity between the one ormore processing modules 42 and the one or more of the various componentsof the steam turbine generation system is shown in in the diagram viathe one or more connections depicted by “C”. Again, in some examples,note that this communication and inter-connectivity may be implementedusing one or more DSCs.

For example, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured tocommunicate with, interact with, receive information from, and/orprovide control signaling to the one or more components of the steamturbine generation system. For example, based on information regardingthe temperature, pressure, density, etc. of the steam and/or waterinvolved in the steam/water loop, the one or more processing modules 42is configured to adapt operation of one or more of the pump components6940, the steam boiler 6932 the heat source 6930, and/or the steamcontroller 6934 to facilitate modification of steam and/or waterinvolved in the steam/water loop to operate the steam turbine generationsystem in a desirable manner.

In another example, based on information regarding rotation of the rotorof the steam turbine 6936 being greater than a desired rotational rate,the one or more processing modules 42 is configured to facilitateslowing of the low-speed shaft by providing appropriate controlsignaling the braking mechanism 6988 In general, the communicationinterfacing between the one or more processing modules 42 in the variouscomponents of the steam turbine generation system may be facilitated viaone or more DSCs.

In addition, one or more DSCs may be implemented to perform processing,conditioning, sensing, etc. of any of the various electrical signalswithin the steam turbine generation system including the output electricpower signals provided from the generator 4520. Also, in some examples,one or more sensors are implemented on and/or associated one or morecomponents of the steam turbine generation system. The one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to receive information from thevarious sensors and use that information in the control and operation ofthe steam turbine generation system.

Moreover, with respect to the generator 4520, any of the one or morevarious examples, embodiments, etc. as described herein directed towardsprocessing, conditioning, etc. of the one or more output electric powersignals provided from the generator (e.g., such as with respect to oneor more in-line DSCs, one or more sensor implemented DSCs, operation inaccordance with an electric power conditioning module, etc.) and/orsensors implemented on and/or associated with the generator 4520 and/orthe mechanical energy source 1810, which in this case is the steamturbine 6936, may also be implemented with respect to the steam turbinegeneration system. The use of one or more appropriately implemented DSCsfacilitate the one or more processing modules 42 to improve theefficiency of the steam turbine generation system includingappropriately adapting operation of the one or more components thereof(e.g., controlling and adapting as needed the appropriate gear ratio ofa gearbox, when implemented, controlling the rotational speed of therotor of the steam turbine 6936, etc.).

FIG. 70 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 7000 of steamturbine generation system control feedback and adaptation in accordancewith the present invention. This diagram shows one or more processingmodules 42 in communication with various elements of the steam turbinegeneration system including one or more of one or more water levelsensor(s) 7091, steam condenser controller and/or sensor(s) 7038, pumpcomponent controller and/or sensor(s) 7040, steam boiler controllerand/or sensor(s) 7032, steam control controller and/or sensor(s) 7034,heat source controller and/or sensor(s) 7030, in and/or out water/steamflow sensor(s) 7036, braking mechanism 6988, gearbox 7042 (whenimplemented), a turbine blade controller 7098 such as may be implementedto control the angle of the blades of the steam turbine 6936, generatorcontroller and/or sensor(s) 7020, and/or any other components orelements 7099 of the steam turbine generation system.

Also, in this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configuredto communicate with and interact with one or more drive-sense circuits(DSCs) that are in communication with at least some of the variouscomponents of the steam turbine generation system. The one or moreprocessing modules 42 is coupled to the one or more DSCs and is operableto provide control to and communication with the one or more DSCs. Notethat the one or more processing modules 42 may include integrated memoryand/or be coupled to other memory. At least some of the memory storesoperational instructions to be executed by the one or more processingmodules 42. In addition, note that the one or more processing modules 42may interface with one or more other devices, components, elements, etc.via one or more communication links, networks, communication pathways,channels, etc.

In an example of operation and implementation, sensor information,sensor related information, information from the one or more DSCs, etc.is received by the one or more processing modules 42. The one or moreprocessing modules 42 is configured to perform processing, at adaptationdetermination, etc. as may be required or desired for any of the one ormore components of the steam turbine generation system. Based on thedetermination to perform adaptation of one or more of the components,the one or more processing modules 42 is configured to communicate withthose one or more components of the steam turbine generation system toadapt the operation thereof. In addition, in some examples, the one ormore processing modules 42 is also configured to direct one or morecomponents to processing, conditioning, etc. of the one or more outputelectric power signals provided from the generator 4520.

FIG. 71 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a method7100 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention. The method 7100 operates in step 7110 by operating one ormore processing modules for directing and controlling operation of oneor more components of a steam turbine. In addition, the method 7100continues in step 7120 by operating the one or more processing modulesfor communicating with and interacting with one or more DSCs that are incommunication with at least some of the various components of the steamturbine. In various examples, the one or more DSCs are implemented toservice the control signals being provided to the one or more componentsof the steam turbine, are implemented to service one or more sensors ortransducers that are implemented to provide information regarding theoperation and status of one or more components of the steam turbine,etc. In addition, in other examples, note that the one or moreprocessing modules are directly in communication with certain of thecomponents of the steam turbine without being in communication with suchcomponents via DSCs.

The method 7100 continues by operating one or more processing modulesfor receiving information, via one or more DSCs and/or directly from theone or more sensors or one or more components of the steam turbine,corresponding to the operation and status of one or more components ofthe steam turbine, etc. in step 7130. In some examples, know that theone or more processing modules is configured to determine informationbased information that is related to a change of an electricalcharacteristic of a control signal that is provided via a DSC to aparticular component of the steam turbine. For example, when a DSC isimplemented to facilitate the delivery of a control signal from the oneor more processing modules to a particular component of the steamturbine, that particular DSC is configured to provide feedback andinformation to the one or more processing modules to be used by the oneor more processing modules to determine the operation status of thatparticular component. In addition, when a DSC is implemented tofacilitate delivery of information regarding the status or operation ofsensor, that particular DSC is configured to provide feedback andinformation to the one or more processing modules to be used by the oneor more processing modules to determine the value of the particularparameter that is being senses by that sensor.

The method 7100 continues in step 7140 by operating one or moreprocessing modules for processing the information provided via the oneor more DSCs, provided directly from the one or more sensors, provideddirectly from the one or more components of the steam turbine, etc. fordetermining whether any adaptation to the operation any one or more ofthe components of the steam turbine is needed. Based on an unfavorablecomparison of the information received to one or more operationalcriteria in step 7150, the one or more processing modules operates bydirecting adaptation of the operation of one or more of the componentsof the steam turbine in step 7160.

Some examples of unfavorable comparison of the information received tothe one or more operational criteria may include any one or more of thesteam turbine not being provided steam the appropriate characteristics(e.g., temperature, pressure, water content, etc.) to facilitate upperoperation of the steam turbine, an overspeed or under speed indicationof any one or more of a rotor of the steam turbine, the rotor of thegenerator, etc., an under temperature or over temperature of one of thecomponents of the steam turbine, etc.

Some examples of modification of the operation of the one or morecomponents of the steam turbine may include any one or more of adjustingthe rotational speed of the rotor of the generator or the rotationalspeed of the rotor of the steam turbine, the ratio operative within agearbox of the steam turbine, adapting operation of one or more of thecomponents implemented to provide steam having the appropriatecharacteristics (e.g., temperature, pressure, water content, etc.) tofacilitate upper operation of the steam turbine that may includeadjusting operation of any one or more of a heat source, a steam boiler,steam controller, a steam condenser, one or more pump components,cooling water flow into or out of a steam condenser, etc., engaging oneor more braking mechanisms to facilitate slowing of one of therotational components of the steam turbine, adjusting the blade angle ofthe blades of the steam turbine, etc., facilitating venting, heating,cooling, HVAC, etc. to correct an under temperature or over temperaturecondition associated with one or more of the components of the steamturbine to bring them within specified or recommended operational range,etc.

Alternatively, based on a favorable comparison of the informationreceived to the one or more operational criteria in step 7150, themethod 7100 ends or continues such as by looping back and performing theoperational step 7110 and continuing to perform the method 7100.

FIG. 72A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 7201 of a Halleffect sensor. The Hall effect corresponds to a voltage potential thatdevelops across the current-carrying conductive plate based on itsexposure to a magnetic field. For example, when a magnetic field isaligned such that the directional magnetic field lines are perpendicularto the plane of a Hall effect sensor 7229, a Hall voltage is produced inthe current-carrying conductive plate (note that the current-carryingconductive plate may alternatively be referred to as the Hall effectsensor 7229). The physical principle on which the Hall effect is basedis the Lorentz force. Generally, the Lorentz force may be expressed as adirectional force vector F that is a function of the current passingthrough the current-carrying conductive plate in a particular direction(q being the electric charge and v being the directional vector of themovement of the electric charge), the magnetic field vector B.

F=qv×B

Generally speaking, the three vectors, F, v, and B, are orthogonal toone another. For example, the directional force vector F, sometimesreferred to as the Lorentz force, is normal to both the magnetic fieldvector B and the directional vector v associated with the current flow.

In many operations, a DC current (e.g., shown as DC i) in the diagram isapplied to the current-carrying conductive plate, which may be viewed asa Hall effect sensor 7229. As the current travels through the Halleffect sensor 7229, a Hall voltage (V) is generated across the Halleffect sensor 7229 perpendicularly to the direction via which thecurrent flows when the Hall effect sensor 7229 is exposed to a magneticfield. This is based on the Lorentz force that displaces the electronsin the Hall effect sensor 7229 in a curved path along the direction viawhich the current flows. Because of this displacement of the electronsin the Hall effect sensor 7229, a voltage develops across the currentcarrying conductive plate perpendicularly to the direction via which thecurrent flows.

The Hall voltage V in volts may be expressed as a function of the Halleffect coefficient Rh of the material Hall effect sensor 7229, thecurrent i flowing through the Hall effect sensor 7229 in amps, thethickness t of the Hall effect sensor 7229 in mm, and the magnetic fluxdensity B in Teslas as follows:

V=Rh×(i/t)×B

Alternatively, the Hall voltage V in volts may be expressed as afunction of the current i flowing through the Hall effect sensor 7229 inamps, the magnitude of the charge of the charge carriers q, the numberof charge carriers per unit volume pn of the Hall effect sensor 7229,the thickness t of the Hall effect sensor 7229, and the magnetic fluxdensity B in Teslas as follows:

V=(i×B)/(pn×q×t)

As can be seen, Hall voltage V is proportional to the magnetic fieldstrength that is applied to the Hall effect sensor 7229. The polarity ofthe Hall voltage V is also determined based on the direction of themagnetic field (e.g., whether North or South). As such, andappropriately implemented Hall effect sensor 7229 may be implemented tooperate as a magnetic field sensor based on the electromagnetic couplingbetween the directional magnetic field lines of the magnetic field andthe Hall effect sensor 7229. In certain Hall effect sensors 7229, thereis a linear operating region where the output voltage, the Hall voltageV, varies linearly with the magnetic flux density B. In many Hall effectsensors 7229, there is an upper operating limit such that when themagnetic flux density B extends beyond that the output voltage, the Hallvoltage V, will saturate (i.e., remain at a particular level even as themagnetic flux density B increases).

Note that Hall effect sensors may be implemented in a number ofdifferent implementations for a variety of different applications. Insome examples, the Hall effect sensor 7229 includes a single permanentmagnet attached to a moving shaft or device in accordance with a head-ondetection implementation. In this implementation, the sensing isperformed on the magnetic field perpendicular to the Hall effect sensor7229. Within such a head-on approach, the Hall voltage V corresponds tothe strength of the magnetic flux density B as a function of distanceaway from the Hall effect sensor 7229. For example, the nearer andstronger being the magnetic flux density, then a greater Hall voltage Vis produced. Similarly, the further away and weaker being the magneticflux density, then a smaller Hall voltage V is produced.

In other examples, sideways detection is performed such that a magnetacross the face of the Hall effect sensor 7229 is configured to move ina sideways motion such that the presence of a magnetic field across theface of the Hall effect sensor 7229 generates a Hall voltage V in theHall effect sensor 7229.

Generally speaking, a Hall effect sensor 7229 may be implemented withinany application in which detection of the magnetic field is desired.Some examples of applications for Hall effect sensors 7229 may includeproximity sensors, environmental detection sensors for conditions suchas vibrations, acoustic waves, etc. Given their applicability todetecting magnetic fields, they may be implemented as current sensorsdetecting the generated magnetic field around a current-carryingconductor. For example, with respect to current sensor applications, andappropriately designed and implemented Hall effect sensor 7229 may beimplemented to detect currents as few as milliamps and/or up to 1000s ofamps. In addition, a Hall effect sensor 7229 may be adapted such as byusing a known permanent magnet placed appropriately near or behind theactive area of the Hall effect sensor 7229 such that, changes ofmagnetic field are detected based on and around the biased magneticfield generated by the known permanent magnets. In some examples, verylow sensitivity such as in the mV/G range may be detected.

In the context of motor and/or generator related applications, Halleffect sensors 7229 may be implemented for any of a variety ofapplications including detection of magnetic field, detection ofrotation of the rotor within a motor and/or generator, position of therotor relative to the stator, rotational rate of the rotor (e.g., suchas by counting the number of passes of Hall effect sensor magnetsattached to a shaft or rotor of a motor and/or generator over aparticular period of time), etc. Given the very large amount ofelectromagnetic coupling and magnetic fields that are generated withinmotor and/or generator applications, Hall effect sensors 7229 may beused for a variety of applications.

FIG. 72B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 7202 of singleline Hall effect sensor drive and sense in accordance with the presentinvention. In this diagram, a DSC 28 is configured to provide thecurrent that is transmitted into the Hall effect sensor 7229. In thisparticular diagram, a DC reference signal is provided to the DSC 28 andan output DC current, DC i, is driven into the Hall effect sensor 7229.The output of the Hall effect sensor 7229 that might be used to returnthe current is grounded in this example. The DSC 28 is configured togenerate an error signal such as a digital representation of a change inan electrical characteristic of the Hall effect sensor 7229 such as maybe generated by the Hall effect sensor 7229 being within sufficientproximity of a magnetic field such that electromagnetic coupling isprovided thereto thereby changing the electrical characteristics of theHall effect sensor 7229.

In this diagram, the DSC 28 is configured to perform driving of thecurrent signal into the Hall effect sensor 7229 and simultaneously todetect that current signal including any changes thereof. The highsensitivity of a DSC 28 allows for detection of a change in theelectrical characteristic of the Hall effect sensor 7229. In oneexample, this change of an electrical characteristic of the Hall effectsensor 7229 is the displacement of the electrons in the Hall effectsensor 7229 due to exposure to a magnetic field. This diagram shows anexample by which the Hall V induced by the Hall effect sensor 7229 beingexposed to a magnetic field may be detected and realized by a DSC viathe sensing of the drive current signal that is provided to the Halleffect sensor 7229.

FIG. 73 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 7300 ofsingle line Hall effect sensor drive and sense in accordance with thepresent invention. The top of this diagram shows a similar configurationas described in the previous diagram (e.g., a DSC 28 that is incommunication with a Hall effect sensor 7329), and the bottom of thisdiagram shows another implementation by which a Hall effect sensor maybe implemented in conjunction with a DSC.

In this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configured tocommunicate with and interact with a drive-sense circuit (DSC) 7328-1.The one or more processing modules 42 is coupled to a DSC 7328-1 and isoperable to provide control to and communication with the DSC 7328-1.Note that the one or more processing modules 42 may include integratedmemory and/or be coupled to other memory. At least some of the memorystores operational instructions to be executed by the one or moreprocessing modules 42. In addition, note that the one or more processingmodules 42 may interface with one or more other devices, components,elements, etc. via one or more communication links, networks,communication pathways, channels, etc.

In this diagram, the one or more processing module 42 is configured toprovide a drive signal, which may be viewed as a reference signal, toone of the inputs of a comparator 7315. Note that the comparator 7315may alternatively be implemented as an operational amplifier in certainembodiments. The other input of the comparator 7315 is coupled toprovide a drive signal (e.g., a DC current signal, shown as DC i)directly from the DSC 7328-1 to the Hall effect sensor 7329. The DSC7328-1 is configured to provide the drive signal to the Hall effectsensor 7329 and also simultaneously to sense the drive signal and todetect any effect on the drive signal. For example, when the Hall effectsensor 7329 is exposed to a magnetic field and electromagnetic couplingis made from that magnetic field to the Hall effect sensor 7329, therewill be displacement of the electrons in the Hall effect sensor 7229 dueto exposure to the magnetic field. The DSC 7328-1 is configured todetect the change of at least one electrical characteristic of the drivesignal this provided to the Hall effect sensor 7329.

The output of the comparator 7315 is provided to an analog to digitalconverter (ADC) 7360 that is configured to generate a digital signalthat is representative of the effect on the drive signal that isprovided to the Hall effect sensor 7329. In some examples the digitalsignal is output from the ADC 7360 and is fed back via a digital toanalog converter (DAC) 7362 to generate the drive signal is provided tothe Hall effect sensor 7329. In other examples that do not include DAC7362, the input to the ADC 7360 is fed back directly to generate thedrive signal is provided to the Hall effect sensor 7329. In addition,the digital signal that is representative of the effect on the drivesignal is also provided to the one or more processing modules 42. Theone or more processing modules 42 is configured to provide control toand be in communication with the DSC 7328-1 including to adapt the drivesignal is provided to the comparator 7315 therein as desired to directand control operation of the Hall effect sensor 7329 via the drivesignal. The one or more processing modules 42 is configured to interpretthe digital signal that is representative of the effect on the drivesignal to determine a Hall voltage induced within the Hall effect sensor7329 based on its exposure to the magnetic field.

FIG. 74 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 7400 ofsingle line Hall effect sensor drive and sense in accordance with thepresent invention. In this diagram, a DSC 28 is in communication with aHall effect sensor 7429. The DSC 28 is configured to generate a drivesignal to be provided to the Hall effect sensor 7429 based on areference signal and to generate an error signal such as a digitalrepresentation of any change of electrical characteristic of the drivesignal that is provided to the Hall effect sensor 7429. In thisimplementation, the return path from the Hall effect sensor is connectedto a common mode voltage, such as a ground, or some other common modevoltage such as Vss, Vdd, 0 V, etc. that is also a voltage reference forthe DSC 28. Both the DSC 28 and the Hall effect sensor 7429 have a samevoltage reference connection (e.g., such as ground, Vss, Vdd, 0 V,etc.).

The bottom of this diagram shows some of the many possible applicationsin which a Hall effect sensor 7429 may be implemented and operated inconjunction with the DSC 28. As mentioned above, generally speaking, inthe context of motor and/or generator applications, a number ofdifferent magnetic fields are generated and may be sensed by anappropriately implemented Hall effect sensor 7429 and DSC 28. Forexample, the one or more magnetic fields generated by a transformer 7412that operates via electromagnetic coupling from a first set of coils orwindings to a second set of coils or windings may be detected andsensed. Also, the magnetic field generated by an inductor or a set ofcoils or windings 7414 may be detected and sensed. Generally speaking,the magnetic field generated via any electromagnetic/inductiveelement/coupler 7415 may be detected and sensed by such a configuration.Generally speaking, the electromagnetic/inductive element/coupler 7415may be any element capable of providing electromagnetic coupling to theHall effect sensor 7429 such that the Hall effect sensor 7429 can detectmagnetic field generated thereby. In addition, other configurations andimplementations by which one or more DSCs 28 may be implemented tofacilitate operation of a Hall effect sensor are also of describedherein.

In an example of operation and implementation, such a Hall effect sensorsystem includes a Hall effect sensor and a drive-sense circuit (DSC).The Hall effect sensor includes an input port to receive a DC (directcurrent) current signal. When enabled, the Hall effect sensor isconfigured to generate a Hall voltage based on exposure to a magneticfield. The DSC is operably coupled to the Hall effect sensor via asingle line. When enabled, the DSC operably coupled and configured togenerate the DC current signal based on a reference signal and to drivethe DC current signal via the single line that operably couples the DSCto the Hall effect sensor and simultaneously to sense the DC currentsignal via the single line. The DSC is configured to detect an effect onthe DC current signal corresponding to the Hall voltage that isgenerated across the Hall effect sensor based on exposure of the Halleffect sensor to the magnetic field and to generate a digital signalrepresentative of the Hall voltage.

In certain examples, the Hall effect sensor system also includes memorythat stores operational instructions, and one or more processing modulesoperably coupled to the DSC. When enabled, the one or more processingmodules is configured to execute the operational instructions to receivethe digital signal representative of the Hall voltage and process thedigital signal to determine the Hall voltage.

In other examples, the DSC further includes a comparator configured toreceive a reference signal from the one or more processing modules at afirst comparator input and to drive the DC current signal from acomparator output that is coupled to a second comparator input. The DSCalso includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) operably coupled tothe comparator output, wherein, when enabled, the ADC operably coupledand configured to process the DC current signal to generate the digitalsignal representative of the Hall voltage.

Moreover, in some examples, an output port of the Hall effect sensorcoupled to a common mode voltage reference of the DSC. Note that amagnetic field that is sensed by the Hall effect sensor system may begenerated by any of a variety of sources including a magnet, atransformer, an inductor, a set of coils or windings, and/or statorwindings of a motor or generator.

Also, in certain examples, the Hall effect sensor system includes aplurality of Hall effect sensors including the Hall effect sensor thatare implemented within a stator around a rotor of a rotating equipmentor a shaft coupled to the rotor of the rotating equipment and configuredto detect rotation of the rotor based on magnetic fields generated byHall effect sensor magnets, wherein each Hall effect sensor of theplurality of Hall effect sensors including a respective input port toreceive a respective DC current signal. Also, the Hall effect sensorsystem includes a plurality of DSC including the DSC. When enabled, theplurality of DSCs operably coupled and configured to service theplurality of Hall effect sensors via a plurality of single lines suchthat each DSC of the plurality of DSC is operably coupled to arespective one Hall effect sensor of the plurality of Hall effectsensors to generate a plurality of digital signals representative of aplurality of Hall voltages based on exposure of the plurality of Halleffect sensors to magnetic fields. The Hall effect sensor system alsoincludes one or more processing modules operably coupled to the DSC.When enabled, the one or more processing modules configured to receivethe plurality of digital signals representative of the Hall voltages,process the plurality of digital signals to determine the Hall voltages,and process the Hall voltages to determine at least one of rotation ofthe rotor of the rotating equipment, position of the rotor of therotating equipment to the stator, and/or a rotational rate of the rotorof the rotating equipment.

In some specific examples, the DSC further includes a power sourcecircuit operably coupled to the single line. When enabled, the powersource circuit is configured to provide the DC current signal via thesingle line coupling the DSC to the Hall effect sensor. The DSC alsoincludes a power source change detection circuit operably coupled to thepower source circuit. When enabled, the power source change detectioncircuit is configured to detect the effect on the DC current signal thatis based on the effect on the DC current signal corresponding to theHall voltage and generate the digital signal representative of the Hallvoltage.

In some instances of such an implementation of a DSC, the power sourcecircuit includes a power source to source the DC current signal via thesingle line coupling the DSC to the Hall effect sensor. Also, the powersource change detection circuit includes a power source referencecircuit configured to provide at least one of a voltage reference or acurrent reference, and a comparator configured to compare the DC currentsignal provided to the Hall effect sensor to the at least one of thevoltage reference and the current reference to produce the DC currentsignal.

FIG. 75 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 7500 of multipleHall effect sensors operative in accordance with the present invention.In this diagram, a rotating equipment such as an induction machine,motor, generator, includes a rotor and a stator such that the rotor isimplemented as including a rotor magnet that includes a North Pole 7560and the South Pole 7560-1. As the rotor of the rotating equipmentrotates along the axis of the shaft 7580, electromagnetic coupling iseffectuated between windings of the rotor and the stator windings 7570.Depending on the particular application, the rotating equipment may beimplemented to operate as a motor such that input electric power isprovided to the stator windings 7570 to facilitate rotation of the rotorof the rotating equipment in a motoring application, or the rotatingequipment may be implemented operated generator such that as the rotorof the rotating equipment is rotated by some mechanical energy sourceproviding rotational energy via the shaft 7580, output electric power isprovided from the stator windings 7570.

In this diagram, one or more Hall effect sensors are implementedappropriately around the shaft 7580 and in communication with one ormore processing modules 42 via one or more DSCs 28. In addition, one ormore corresponding Hall effect sensor magnets are also implementedwithin sufficient and appropriate proximity to the Hall effect sensorssuch that as they pass the Hall effect sensors, the magnetic fieldprovided by the Hall effect sensor magnets may be detected by the Halleffect sensors.

The one or more processing modules 42 is configured to communicate withand interact with the one or more DSCs 28 that are in communication withthe Hall effect sensors. The one or more processing modules 42 iscoupled to the one or more DSCs and is operable to provide control toand communication with the one or more DSCs. Note that the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/or be coupled toother memory. At least some of the memory stores operationalinstructions to be executed by the one or more processing modules 42. Inaddition, note that the one or more processing modules 42 may interfacewith one or more other devices, components, elements, etc. via one ormore communication links, networks, communication pathways, channels,etc.

As the rotor of the rotating equipment rotates, and as the Hall effectsensor magnets pass the Hall effect sensors, the one or more DSCs 28 areconfigured to provide information to the one or more processing modules42 and interpreted to determine the location of the rotor of therotating equipment (e.g., such as the location of the windings of therotor relative to the stator windings 7570). The one or processingmodules 42 is configured to use this information to control and adaptoperation of a system that includes the rotating equipment. In certainexamples, one or more couplings and/or connections to one or more systemcontrollers and/or sensors 7540 are also provided to the one or moreprocessing modules 42. Some of those couplings and/or connections may beimplemented via one or more DSCs 28. The one or more processing modules42 is also configured to determine the rotational rate of the rotor ofthe rotating equipment based on information provided from the one ormore Hall effect sensors via the one or more DSCs 28. This diagram showsthe specific example by which one or more appropriately implemented DSCs28 communicate with and interact with one or more Hall effect sensors todetermine information regarding the operation of the rotating equipment.

FIG. 76 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 7600 ofmultiple Hall effect sensors operative in accordance with the presentinvention. This diagram has some similarities to the previous diagram.For example, one or more processing modules 42 is configured tocommunicate with and interact with the one or more DSCs 28 that are incommunication with the Hall effect sensors. The one or more processingmodules 42 is coupled to the one or more DSCs and is operable to providecontrol to and communication with the one or more DSCs. Note that theone or more processing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/orbe coupled to other memory. At least some of the memory storesoperational instructions to be executed by the one or more processingmodules 42. In addition, note that the one or more processing modules 42may interface with one or more other devices, components, elements, etc.via one or more communication links, networks, communication pathways,channels, etc.

Also, this diagram, rotating equipment (e.g., which may be any of anumber of different types of rotating equipment such as motor, a DCmotor, an AC/induction motor, a brushless DC motor (BLDC), etc.)includes on one end of its rotor an accessory shaft 7680 includes one ormore Hall sensors and magnets mounted thereon that are in communicationwith the one or more processing modules 42 via one or more DSCs 28. Inthis diagram, the rotating equipment includes a rotor and a stator suchthat the rotor is implemented as including a rotor magnet that includesa North Pole 7660 and the South Pole 7660-1. As the rotor of therotating equipment rotates along the axis of the shaft 7680,electromagnetic coupling is effectuated between windings of the rotorand the stator windings 7670. In this diagram, the rotating equipment isimplemented to operate as a motor such that input electric power isprovided to the stator windings 7670 to facilitate rotation of the rotorof the rotating equipment in a motoring application thereby facilitatingthe driving and of shaft 7690 to engage and operate on a load 7695. Theload 7695 may be any type of load that may be serviced by a motor (e.g.,such as a generator, a pump, compressor, and industrial equipment beingserviced by a motor, the drive mechanism of a vehicle such as a car,train, etc. and/or any other load 7695 that may be serviced by a motor).

The one or more processing modules 42 is configured to processinformation provided via the one or more DSCs 28 from the Hall effectsensors to determine information regarding the operation of the motor.For example, this may involve determining the location of the rotor ofthe rotating equipment (e.g., such as the location of the windings ofthe rotor relative to the stator windings 7670), the rate of rotation ofthe rotor of the motor, the slip of the motor, the torque of the motor,and/or any other corresponding information.

The one or more processing modules 42 is configured to control and adaptoperation of the motor via a coupling to the motor for the motor coupledelement 7640. For example, in some instances, the one or more processingmodules 42 is configured to interface and communicate with the statorwindings 7670 of the motor via one or more motor coupled elements, suchas a motor controller, a current buffer, etc. and other examples, theone or more processing modules 42 is configured to interface andcommunicate with the stator windings 7670 directly.

FIG. 77 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a method7700 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention. This method 770 may be viewed as being a method for executionby a Hall effect sensor system. The method 7700 operates in step 7710 byoperating a Hall effect sensor including an input port to receive a DC(direct current) current signal to generate a Hall voltage based onexposure to a magnetic field. The method 7700 continues in step 7720 byoperating a drive-sense circuit (DSC) operably coupled to the Halleffect sensor via a single line for performing various operations.

The method 7700 operates in step 7722 by generating the DC currentsignal based on a reference signal and, in step 7724, driving the DCcurrent signal via the single line that operably couples the DSC to theHall effect sensor and simultaneously to sense the DC current signal viathe single line. The method 7700 continues in step 7726 by detecting aneffect on the DC current signal corresponding to the Hall voltage thatis generated across the Hall effect sensor based on exposure of the Halleffect sensor to the magnetic field and, in step 7728, generating adigital signal representative of the Hall voltage.

In some alternative examples, a variant of the method 7700 also operatesin step 7730 by receiving the digital signal representative of the Hallvoltage (e.g., by one or more processing modules), and, in step 7740,processing the digital signal to determine the Hall voltage.

Alternative variants of the method 7700 may also involve operating aplurality of Hall effect sensors including the Hall effect sensor thatare implemented within a stator around a rotor of a rotating equipmentor a shaft coupled to the rotor of the rotating equipment and configuredto detect rotation of the rotor based on magnetic fields generated byHall effect sensor magnets, wherein each Hall effect sensor of theplurality of Hall effect sensors including a respective input port toreceive a respective DC current signal. Such variants of the method 7700may also involve operating a plurality of DSC including the DSC toservice the plurality of Hall effect sensors via a plurality of singlelines such that each DSC of the plurality of DSC is operably coupled toa respective one Hall effect sensor of the plurality of Hall effectsensors to generate a plurality of digital signals representative of aplurality of Hall voltages based on exposure of the plurality of Halleffect sensors to magnetic fields. Such variants of the method 7700 mayalso involve (e.g., by one or more processing modules) the operationalsteps if receiving the plurality of digital signals representative ofthe Hall voltages, processing the plurality of digital signals todetermine the Hall voltages, and processing the Hall voltages todetermine at least one of rotation of the rotor of the rotatingequipment, position of the rotor of the rotating equipment to thestator, or a rotational rate of the rotor of the rotating equipment.

FIG. 78A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 7801 of a Hallvoltage sensor in accordance with the present invention. As alsodescribed above, the Hall effect corresponds to a voltage potential thatdevelops across the current-carrying conductive plate (e.g.,alternatively referred to as a Hall effect sensor 7810) based on itsexposure to a magnetic field. For example, when a magnetic field isaligned such that the directional magnetic field lines are perpendicularto the plane of a Hall effect sensor 7810, a Hall voltage V is producedin the current-carrying conductive plate (note that the current-carryingconductive plate may alternatively be referred to as the Hall effectsensor 7810).

In this diagram, a DSC 28 is implemented to detect the Hall voltage V.In this example, a DC source provides a DC current (DC i) across theHall effect sensor 7810, and a DSC 28 is configured to be connected to afirst of the locations at which the Hall voltage V may be measured onthe Hall effect sensor 7810 via a drive/sense signal and connected asecond of the locations at which the Hall voltage V may be measured onthe Hall effect sensor 7810 via the reference signal input to the DSC28. The DSC 28 is configured to generate an error signal, such as beinga digital representation of the difference between the reference signalinput and the drive/sense signal input to the DSC 28. This diagram showsanother example by which a DSC 28 may be implemented to provide improvedsensitivity, efficiency, and performance of the operation of the DSC 28.Such an appropriately implemented DSC 28 is configured to detect theHall voltage V with extremely high sensitivity based on detecting thedifference between the voltage on the two sides of the Hall effectsensor 7810.

FIG. 78B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 7802 of aHall voltage sensor in accordance with the present invention. Thisdiagram has some similarities to certain of the previous diagrams. Inthis diagram, a first DSC 28 is configured to provide the current thatis transmitted into the Hall effect sensor 7810. In this particulardiagram, a DC reference signal is provided to the first DSC 28 and anoutput DC current, DC i, is driven into the Hall effect sensor 7810. Theoutput of the Hall effect sensor 7810 that might be used to return thecurrent is grounded in this example. The first DSC 28 is configured togenerate an error signal such as a digital representation of a change inan electrical characteristic of the Hall effect sensor 7810 such as maybe generated by the Hall effect sensor 7810 being within sufficientproximity of a magnetic field such that electromagnetic coupling isprovided thereto thereby changing the electrical characteristics of theHall effect sensor 7810.

Also, in this diagram, a second DSC 28 is implemented to detect the Hallvoltage V. In this example, a DC source provides a DC current (DC i)across the Hall effect sensor 7810, and a second DSC 28 is configured tobe connected to a first of the locations at which the Hall voltage V maybe measured on the Hall effect sensor 7810 via a drive/sense signal andconnected a second of the locations at which the Hall voltage V may bemeasured on the Hall effect sensor 7810 via the reference signal inputto the second DSC 28. The second DSC 28 is configured to generate anerror signal, such as being a digital representation of the differencebetween the reference signal input and the drive/sense signal input tothe second DSC 28.

This diagram shows an example by which more than one appropriatelyimplemented DSCs 28 is configured to facilitate improved operation of aHall effect sensor 7810. Not only is the first DSC 28 implemented tooperate as the current source that is provided to the Hall effect sensor7810, but one or more other DSCs 28 is implemented to detect the Hallvoltage V that is generated as the Hall effect sensor 7810 is exposed toa magnetic field.

FIG. 79 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 7900 of aHall voltage sensor in accordance with the present invention. The top ofthis diagram shows a similar configuration as described in the previousdiagram (e.g., a DSC 28 that is in communication with a Hall effectsensor 7810 to detect Hall voltage V; note that the drive currentprovided to the Hall effect sensor 7810 may be provided by another DSCor via some other means), and the bottom of this diagram shows anotherimplementation by which a Hall effect sensor may be implemented inconjunction with a DSC particularly for sensing Hall voltage V.

In this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configured tocommunicate with and interact with a drive-sense circuit (DSC) 7928-1.The one or more processing modules 42 is coupled to a DSC 7928-1 and isoperable to provide control to and communication with the DSC 7928-1.Note that the one or more processing modules 42 may include integratedmemory and/or be coupled to other memory. At least some of the memorystores operational instructions to be executed by the one or moreprocessing modules 42. In addition, note that the one or more processingmodules 42 may interface with one or more other devices, components,elements, etc. via one or more communication links, networks,communication pathways, channels, etc.

In this diagram, a first of the locations at which the Hall voltage Vmay be measured on the Hall effect sensor 7810 is connected to one ofthe inputs of a comparator 7915. A second of the locations at which theHall voltage V may be measured on the Hall effect sensor 7810 isconnected to the other of the inputs of a comparator 7915 (e.g., where areference signal input may be provided to a DSC as shown in otherexamples, embodiments, diagrams, etc.).

Note that the comparator 7915 may alternatively be implemented as anoperational amplifier in certain embodiments. Note that both inputs ofthe comparator 7915 are coupled directly from the DSC 7928-1 to the Halleffect sensor 7810. The DSC 7928-1 is configured to detect thedifference between a first voltage node and a second voltage node of theHall effect sensor 7810. When the Hall effect sensor 7810 is exposed toa magnetic field and electromagnetic coupling is made from that magneticfield to the Hall effect sensor 7810, there will be displacement of theelectrons in the Hall effect sensor 7229 due to exposure to the magneticfield. The DSC 7928-1 is configured to detect any change of voltage,particularly the Hall voltage V, based on the voltage difference betweenthe two sides of the Hall effect sensor 7810.

The output of the comparator 7915 is provided to an analog to digitalconverter (ADC) 7960 that is configured to generate a digital signalthat is representative of the effect on the drive signal that isprovided to the Hall effect sensor 7810. In some examples the digitalsignal is output from the ADC 7960 and is fed back via a digital toanalog converter (DAC) 7962 to generate the drive signal is provided tothe Hall effect sensor 7810. In other examples that do not include DAC7962, the input to the ADC 7960 is fed back directly to the connectionto the first voltage node of the Hall effect sensor 7810. In addition,the digital signal that is representative of the effect on the drivesignal is also provided to the one or more processing modules 42. Theone or more processing modules 42 is configured to provide control toand be in communication with the DSC 7928-1. The one or more processingmodules 42 is configured to interpret the digital signal that isrepresentative of the effect on the drive signal to determine a Hallvoltage V induced within the Hall effect sensor 7810 based on itsexposure to the magnetic field and particularly based on the potentialdifference generated across the Hall effect sensor 7810.

FIG. 80 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 8000 of aHall voltage sensor in accordance with the present invention. Thisdiagram has some similarities to certain of the previous diagrams. Notethat the drive current provided to the Hall effect sensor 7810 may beprovided by a DSC or via some other means. However, as can be seen, twoseparately implemented DSCs 28 are configured to provide information tobe used by one or more processing modules 42 to determine Hall voltageV. A first and second DSC 8028-1 are configured to sense a first voltageassociated with a first voltage node and a second voltage node,respectively, of the Hall effect sensor 7810.

In this diagram, one or more processing modules 42 is configured tocommunicate with and interact with a drive-sense circuits (DSCs) 8028-1.The one or more processing modules 42 is coupled to the DSCs 8028-1 andis operable to provide control to and communication with the DSCs8028-1. Note that the one or more processing modules 42 may includeintegrated memory and/or be coupled to other memory. At least some ofthe memory stores operational instructions to be executed by the one ormore processing modules 42. In addition, note that the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may interface with one or more other devices,components, elements, etc. via one or more communication links,networks, communication pathways, channels, etc.

In this diagram, the one or more processing module 42 is configured toprovide a first drive signal, which may be viewed as a first referencesignal, to one of the inputs of a comparator 7915 of the first DSC8028-1 and also a second drive signal, which may be viewed as a secondreference signal, to one of the inputs of a comparator 7915 of thesecond DSC 8028-1. Note that the comparators 7915 of the DSCs 8028-1 mayalternatively be implemented as an operational amplifier in certainembodiments.

Each of the other inputs of the comparators 7915 of the DSCs 8028-1 isrespectively coupled to provide a respective drive signal to one of thevoltage nodes of the Hall effect sensor 7810 by which the Hall voltage Vmay be detected. Each of the DSCs 8028-1 is configured to provide arespective drive signal to the Hall effect sensor 7810 and alsosimultaneously to sense the drive signal and to detect any effect on thedrive signal. For example, when the Hall effect sensor 7810 is exposedto a magnetic field and electromagnetic coupling is made from thatmagnetic field to the Hall effect sensor 7810, there will bedisplacement of the electrons in the Hall effect sensor 7810 due toexposure to the magnetic field. Each of the two DSCs 8028-1 isconfigured to detect the change of at least one electricalcharacteristic of its respective drive signals that is provided to theHall effect sensor 7810.

In some examples, the reference signals that are provided from the oneor more processing modules 42 to the appropriate inputs of thecomparators 7915 of the DSCs 8028-1 is a DC signal, such as a known orpredetermined voltage, ground, etc. In addition, in some examples, thetwo reference signals are of a common value and type. Generallyspeaking, the reference signals that are provided from the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may be of any desired type. Considering an examplein which the reference signals are ground (e.g., DC signals having avoltage of 0 V), then as a Hall voltage V is generated within the Halleffect sensor 7810, the two DSCs 8028-1 will respectively detect voltageon the voltage nodes of the Hall effect sensor 7810. The differencebetween those two voltages that are detected by the two DSCs 8028-1corresponds to the Hall voltage V.

The two DSCs 8028-1 are cooperatively configured to detect thedifference between a first voltage node and a second voltage node of theHall effect sensor 7810. When the Hall effect sensor 7810 is exposed toa magnetic field and electromagnetic coupling is made from that magneticfield to the Hall effect sensor 7810, there will be displacement of theelectrons in the Hall effect sensor 7229 due to exposure to the magneticfield. Each of the two DSCs 8028-1 is rep configured to detect anychange of voltage, corresponding to one of the respective voltage nodesof the Hall effect sensor 7810. The voltage difference between the twosides of the Hall effect sensor 7810, as detected by the two DSC 8028-1,provides information that may be used to determine the Hall voltage V.

Considering the operation of one of the DSC 8028-1, the output of thecomparator 7915 is provided to an analog to digital converter (ADC) 7960that is configured to generate a digital signal that is representativeof the effect on the drive signal that is provided to the Hall effectsensor 7810. In some examples the digital signal is output from the ADC7960 and is fed back via a digital to analog converter (DAC) 7962 togenerate the drive signal is provided to the Hall effect sensor 7810. Inother examples that do not include DAC 7962, the input to the ADC 7960is fed back directly to the connection to the respective voltage node ofthe Hall effect sensor 7810. In addition, the digital signal that isrepresentative of the effect on the drive signal is also provided to theone or more processing modules 42. The one or more processing modules 42is configured to provide control to and be in communication with the DSC8028-1 including to adapt the respective drive signal that is providedto the comparator 7915 therein as desired to facilitate effectivesensing operation based on the Hall effect sensor 7810 via the drivesignal. The one or more processing modules 42 is configured to interpretthe digital signal that is representative of the effect on the drivesignal to determine a voltage associated with one of the voltage nodesof the Hall effect sensor 7810 corresponding to the a Hall voltage Vinduced within the Hall effect sensor 7810 based on its exposure to themagnetic field. The one or more processing modules 42 is configured toemploy the respective digital signals provided from the two DSC 8028-1to determine the potential difference generated across the Hall effectsensor 7810, namely, the Hall voltage V.

FIG. 81A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a method8101 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention. The method 8101 operates in step 8110 by providing a firstsignal to a first voltage node of a Hall effect sensor from adrive/sense port of a DSC. The method 8101 also operates in step 8120 byreceiving, at a reference signal input of the DSC, a second signal froma second voltage node of the Hall effect sensor.

The method 8101 continues in step 8130 by monitoring for a change of anelectrical characteristic of the first signal and/or the second signalwithin the DSC. Based on detection of one or more changes of one or moreelectrical characteristics of the first signal and/or the second signalwithin the DSC within step 8140, the method 8101 also operates in step8150 by operating one or more processing modules for processing the oneor more changes of the first signal and/or the second signal that isdetected within the DSC to determine a Hall voltage that is generatedwithin the Hall effect sensor based on its exposure to a magnetic field.

Alternatively, based on no detection of one or more changes of one ormore electrical characteristics of the first signal and/or the secondsignal within the DSC within step 8140, the method 8101 ends orcontinues such as by looping back and performing the operational step8130 and continuing to perform the method 8100.

In some examples, the source that is providing a current signal to theHall effect sensor is another DSC. In other examples, some other elementthat is not DSC based operates as the source that provides the currentsignal to the Hall effect sensor.

FIG. 81B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a method8102 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention. The method 8102 operates in step 8111 by providing a firstsignal to a first voltage node of a Hall effect sensor from adrive/sense port of a first DSC. The method 8102 also operates in step8121 by providing a second signal to a second voltage node of the Halleffect sensor from a drive/sense port of a second DSC. In some examples,one or more processing modules also operate by providing a referencesignal to the first DSC into the second DSC, or alternatively, byproviding a first reference signal to the first DSC and a secondreference signal to the second DSC.

The method 8102 continues in step 8131 by monitoring for a change of anelectrical characteristic of the first signal and/or the second signalwithin the DSC. Based on detection of one or more changes of one or moreelectrical characteristics of the first signal and/or the second signalwithin the DSC within step 8141, the method 8102 also operates in step8151 by operating one or more processing modules for processing the oneor more changes of the first signal and/or the second signal that isdetected within the DSC to determine a Hall voltage that is generatedwithin the Hall effect sensor based on its exposure to a magnetic field.Note that this may involve detecting one or more changes of the firstsignal within the first DSC and also detecting one or more changes ofthe second signal within the second DSC. Alternatively, this may involvedetecting one or more changes of the first signal within the first DSCand no change on the second signal within the second DSC, or vice versa.

Alternatively, based on no detection of one or more changes of one ormore electrical characteristics of the first signal and/or the secondsignal within the DSC within step 8141, the method 8102 ends orcontinues such as by looping back and performing the operational step8131 and continuing to perform the method 8102.

In some examples, the source that is providing a current signal to theHall effect sensor is another DSC. In other examples, some other elementthat is not DSC based operates as the source that provides the currentsignal to the Hall effect sensor.

FIG. 82A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 8201 of a Halleffect sensor adapted driver circuit in accordance with the presentinvention. In this diagram, a DSC 28 is implemented to provide adrive/sense current signal (shown as DC i) to a Hall effect sensor 7810.The DSC 28 is configured to generate this drive/sense current signalbased on a reference signal and also to generate an error signal, whichmay be a digital representation of any change of the drive/sense currentsignal. The output of the Hall effect sensor 7810 is shown as beingconnected to a winding of a transformer 8212. In this diagram, the otherend of the transformer 8212 is grounded. In alternative examples, theother end of the transformer 8212 may alternatively be connected toanother element.

This transformer 8212 includes a first one or more sets of windings anda second one or more sets of windings (e.g., a primary and a secondaryone or more sets of windings in some examples). In addition, the Halleffect sensor 7810 is implemented such that it is operative to detectelectromagnetic coupling from the transformer 8212 itself. Thiselectromagnetic coupling may be from the first one or more sets ofwindings, the second one or more sets of windings, the electromagneticcoupling between the two sets of windings, and/or any combinationthereof. In some examples, the Hall effect sensor 7810 is specificallyimplemented and emplaced to detect one particular source (e.g., such asbeing implemented specifically to detect electromagnetic coupling fromthe first or primary one or more sets of windings, the second orsecondary one or more sets of windings, the electromagnetic couplingbetween any set of windings, etc.). In other examples, the Hall effectsensor 7810 is implemented and emplaced to detect the magnetic field ina particular region, such as that electromagnetic coupling which isprovided from the transformer 8212.

This diagram shows an example by which a DSC itself drives the inputsignal to a transformer 8212 through a Hall effect sensor 7810 thatsenses the magnetic field to regulate the current signal providedthereto. For example, instead of the transformer 8212 being driven by amerely a current signal, a voltage signal, and/or a power signal, theHall effect sensor 7810 is implemented specifically to provideregulation of the current signal provided to the transformer 8212 bydetecting one or more of the electromagnetic fields generated thereby.This provides, among other things, a means by which real-time feedbackof the current signal provided to the transformer 8212.

In addition, in this diagram as well as FIGS. 82B, 83A, and 83B, one ormore processing modules 42 is configured to communicate with andinteract with the drive-sense circuit (DSC) 28. The one or moreprocessing modules 42 is coupled to the DSCs 28 and is operable toprovide control to and communication with the DSCs 28. Note that the oneor more processing modules 42 may include integrated memory and/or becoupled to other memory. At least some of the memory stores operationalinstructions to be executed by the one or more processing modules 42. Inaddition, note that the one or more processing modules 42 may interfacewith one or more other devices, components, elements, etc. via one ormore communication links, networks, communication pathways, channels,etc.

FIG. 82B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 8202 of aHall effect sensor adapted driver circuit in accordance with the presentinvention. This diagram has some similarities to the previous diagramwith at least one difference being that the output of the Hall effectsensor 7810 is connected to the transformer 8210 via a current buffer8250. In some examples, this current buffer is a high current bufferimplemented to deliver sufficient current, voltage, and/or power to thetransformer 82122 facilitate appropriate operation thereof. For example,in some implementations in which the current output from a Hall effectsensor 7810 does not have the capability to drive a current signal tothe transformer 8210, the current buffer 8250 may be implemented toprovide an adequate current signal is appropriate for the transformer8210.

FIG. 83A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 8301 of aHall effect sensor adapted driver circuit in accordance with the presentinvention. This diagram has some similarities to the previous diagramswith at least one difference being that the windings shown at the top ofthe diagram correspond to those of induction machine 8320 having statorwindings 8312 a and rotor windings 8312 b. The output of the Hall effectsensor 7810, which may optionally be provided via a current buffer 8350,is provided to the stator windings 8312 a.

In this diagram, the other end of the stator windings 8312 a isgrounded. In alternative examples, the other end of the stator windings8312 a may alternatively be connected to another element (e.g., forexample, in a multiphase induction machine implementation in which eachof the respective phases includes two separate sets of windings, suchthat the output of first set of windings for one phase is provided asthe input to a second set of windings for that same phase).

In addition, in another example, in certain multiphase induction machineapplications, a separate instantiation of the DSC 28 and Hall effectsensor 7810 (and optionally current buffer 8350) may be implemented foreach of the respective phases of the multiphase induction machine.Considering an example of implementation within a 3-phase inductionmachine, a first instantiation the DSC 28 and Hall effect sensor 7810(and optionally current buffer 8350) for the first phase, a secondinstantiation of the DSC 28 and Hall effect sensor 7810 (and optionallycurrent buffer 8350) for the second phase, and a third instantiation theDSC 28 and Hall effect sensor 7810 (and optionally current buffer 8350)for the third phase. As may be desired, each of these respectiveinstantiations may be in communication with the one or more processingmodules 42 such that each respective DSC 28 of each respectiveinstantiation receives its own reference signal and is configured togenerate an error signal based on any change of an electricalcharacteristic of the current signal that is driven to its respectiveHall effect sensor 7810. For example, considering a 3-phase inductionmachine implementation, such as a motor implementation, each of the 3respective reference signals provided to the 3 respective DSCs of thethree separate instantiations may be signals having similarcharacteristics yet been out of phase with one another by 120° (e.g.,the first reference signal having a phase of 0°, the second referencesignal having a phase of hundred 20°, and the third reference signalhaving a phase of 240°).

FIG. 83B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 8302 of aHall effect sensor adapted driver circuit in accordance with the presentinvention. This diagram also has some similarities to certain of theprevious diagrams with at least one difference being that the output ofthe Hall effect sensor 7810 (or optionally the output of a currentbuffer 8350) is connected to an inductor or one or more windings 8314.Such an implementation of a DSC 28 and Hall effect sensor 7810 beingimplemented to provide real-time feedback of the electromagneticcoupling or electromagnetic field generated by an element that is beingdriven by the output of the DSC 28 implemented Hall effect sensor 7810(or optionally the output of the current buffer 8350) may generally beprovided to any element capable of providing electromagnetic coupling tothe Hall effect sensor 7810 such that the Hall effect sensor 7810 candetect magnetic field generated thereby. Generally speaking, theinductor or one or more windings 8314 may alternatively be anyelectromagnetic/inductive element/coupler 8415 may be any elementcapable of providing electromagnetic coupling to the Hall effect sensor7810 such that the Hall effect sensor 7810 can detect magnetic fieldgenerated thereby.

FIG. 84 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a method8400 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention. The method 8400 operates in step 8410 by providing adrive/sense signal from a DSC to a Hall effect sensor that isimplemented to detect electromagnetic coupling from an electromagneticfield generating element that is coupled to the output of the Halleffect sensor. In some examples, this may be viewed as operating a DSCfor driving an input signal to the electromagnetic field generatingelement through the Hall effect sensor that senses the magnetic field toregulate the input signal (e.g., the current signal) provided thereto.

Note that the electromagnetic field generating element may be anyelement implemented to receive an input signal that generates a magneticfield during operation. Examples of such electromagnetic fieldgenerating elements may include any one or more of a transformer, aninductor, a set of windings (e.g., one or more sets of stator windings)such as within a generator and/or motor application.

Also, in some examples, note that the output from the Hall effect sensorthat is provided to the input of the electromagnetic field generatingelement is provided via a current buffer, such as a high current buffer,so as to ensure an adequate amount of current, power, etc. will bedelivered to the input of the electromagnetic field generating elementto facilitate proper operation thereof.

The method 8400 continues in step 8420 by providing the input signal tothe electromagnetic field generating element from the output of the Halleffect sensor. In operation, the method 8400 also operates by regulatingthe input signal that is provided to the electromagnetic fieldgenerating element by detecting the one or more electromagnetic fieldsgenerated by the electromagnetic field generating element and adaptingthe input signal based on the one or more electromagnetic fieldsgenerated by the electromagnetic field generating element.

For example, this regulation of the input signal may be viewed asmonitoring the one or more electromagnetic fields generated by theelectromagnetic field generating element for any change thereof such asshown within step 8430. Based on detection of the change of the one ormore electromagnetic fields by the Hall effect sensor in step 8440, themethod 8400 also operates in step 8450 by adapting the operation of thethe Hall effect sensor based on the change of the one or moreelectromagnetic fields that is detected by the Hall effect sensor. Thisin turn operates by adapting the input signal to the electromagneticfield generating element in step 8460.

Alternatively, based on no detection of any change of the one or moreelectromagnetic fields generated by the electromagnetic field generatingelement within step 8440, the method 8400 ends or continues such as bylooping back and performing the operational step 8430 and continuing toperform the method 8400.

FIG. 85 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment 8500 of inductionmachine control using Hall effect sensor adapted driver circuit inaccordance with the present invention. In this diagram, as well as inFIGS. 86, 87, and 88 , one or more processing modules 42 is configuredto communicate with and interact with one or more drive-sense circuits(DSCs) 28. The one or more processing modules 42 is coupled to the DSCs28 and is operable to provide control to and communication with the DSCs28. Note that the one or more processing modules 42 may includeintegrated memory and/or be coupled to other memory. At least some ofthe memory stores operational instructions to be executed by the one ormore processing modules 42. In addition, note that the one or moreprocessing modules 42 may interface with one or more other devices,components, elements, etc. via one or more communication links,networks, communication pathways, channels, etc.

For example, the one or more processing modules 42 is configured toprovide reference signal to the DSC 28 and to receive an error signalcorresponding to any change of an electrical characteristic of thedrive/sense signal provided from the DSC 28 to the Hall effect sensor7810. In this implementation, the Hall effect sensor 7810 is implementedto provide the drive signal to one of the one or more stator windings ofa motor and also to detect electromagnetic coupling from that one ormore stator windings of the motor.

For example, the bottom of this diagram shows a 3-phase inductionmachine has three sets of windings, with each phase connected to adifferent set of windings Consider three different electric powersignals being out of phase with one another by 120°. On the right-handside of the diagram shows the 3-phase AC power supply such that phase Amay be viewed as having a phase of 0°, phase B may be viewed as having aphase of 120°, and phase C may be viewed as having a phase of 240°. Therotor of the induction machine is implemented as having a North Pole andSouth Pole. By appropriately providing electric power input signals tothe stator windings of the induction machine, specifically shown asphase A in, phase B in, and in phase A in, a rotating magnetic fieldwill be induced within the stator windings of the induction machine. Inthis example, which includes a 2-pole, 3-phase induction machine, eachrespective phase includes two corresponding sets of windings, as can beseen as an example from the A1 and A2 stator windings associated withphase A, the B1 and B2 stator windings associated with phase B, and theC1 and C2 stator windings associated with phase C. This configuration issimilar to that which is described above with reference to FIG. 19 in atleast some respects. FIG. 19 and associated written description alsoprovides some additional information regarding the implementation ofsuch a 3-phase induction machine with the detail that thisimplementation in FIG. 19 is for a motor application (e.g., a 2-pole,3-phase induction machine and particularly in a motoring application inthis diagram).

Each of the respective phase inputs is provided from a respectiveinstantiation of the DSC 28 and a Hall effect sensor 7810 that isconfigured to perform sensing of the magnetic field generated by thatparticular phase input to which the drive signal is applied. Forexample, respective first, second, and third instantiations of the DSC28 and Hall effect sensor 7810 (and optionally a respective currentbuffer 8350 in each) for each of the first, second, and third phases areimplemented to provide the respective drive signals to the respectivestator windings (e.g., Phase A in, Phase B in, and Phase C in).

FIG. 86 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 8600 ofinduction machine control using Hall effect sensor adapted drivercircuit in accordance with the present invention. This diagram shows animplementation in which the one or more processing modules 42 are incommunication with three respective DSCs 28 that each respectivelyprovide the drive/sense signals to three respective Hall effect sensors7810 that each respectively provide the three drive signals to the threerespective stator windings of the motor (e.g., Phase A, Phase B, andPhase C). Each respective Hall effect sensors 7810 also monitors andsenses the electromagnetic coupling from the stator windings of themotor to which the drive signal is provided. Each of the respectiveinstantiations of a DSC 28 and a corresponding Hall effect sensor 7810provides a respective one of the three input signals provided to the3-phase motor windings (e.g., Phase A, Phase B, and Phase C). Note thatsuch an implementation may be implemented within a 3-phase inductionmachine that includes only one pole per phase (e.g., 3 respectivewindings, A, B, C).

Note that the respective instantiations of DSCs providing respectivedrive/sense signals via Hall effect sensors provides regulation of theinput signals provided to the respective stator windings of the motor.In addition, not only is regulation of the input signals beingperformed, but each respective DSC is configured to drive its respectivesignal to its respective Hall effect sensor and also simultaneously tosense any change to any electrical characteristic associated with itsrespective signal that is provided to its respective Hall effect sensor.As such, multiple levels of control of the input signals that areprovided to the motor are provided in such an imitation. Real-timefeedback regarding the efficacy of the input signal being provided tothe respective stator windings of the motor is performed based on thesensing of the electromagnetic coupling from the stator windings by eachof the respective Hall effect sensors. In addition, each individual DSCis configured simultaneously to perform driving of a signal to itsrespective Hall effect sensor and sensing of that signal that is drivento its respective Hall effect sensor.

The sensing provided by the Hall effect sensors, and the adaptiveregulation of the input signal to the stator windings, provides forimproved control of the input signals being provided to the motor. Inaddition, the use of DSCs allows for simultaneously driving and sensingthe signals provided to the Hall effect sensors themselves. Eachrespective DSC is configured to provide an error signal, which may be ina digital representation, that corresponds to information associatedwith any change to any electrical characteristic associated with itsrespective signal that is provided to its respective Hall effect sensor.In some examples, one or more processing modules is in communicationwith and interacts with the one or more DSCs to adapt their respectiveoperation based on this information. The one or more processing modulesis configured to adapt operation of any one or more of the DSCs tofacilitate adjustment any desired parameter associated with the inputsignals that are provided to the stator windings of the motor (e.g.,magnitude, phase, frequency, DC offset, etc.) including the relativerelationship of any such parameters between two such signals (e.g., thephase between two signals, etc.).

FIG. 87 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 8700 ofinduction machine control using Hall effect sensor adapted drivercircuit in accordance with the present invention. This diagram shows animplementation in which the one or more processing modules 42 are incommunication with three respective DSCs 28 that each respectivelyprovide the drive/sense signals to three respective Hall effect sensors7810 that each respectively provide the three drive signals to therespective phase in stator windings of the motor (e.g., Phase A1 in,Phase B1 in, and Phase C1 in of a 2-pole, 3-phase induction machine, amotor in this example). Each respective Hall effect sensors 7810 alsomonitors and senses the electromagnetic coupling from the Phase instator windings of the motor to which the drive signal is provided. Eachof the respective instantiations of a DSC 28 and a corresponding Halleffect sensor 7810 provides a respective one of the three input signalsprovided to the secondary pole of the 3-phase motor windings (e.g., toA2, to B2, and to C2).

Also, the output from each of the respective input phases is provided toa respective Hall effect sensor 7810 that is configured to monitor andsense the electromagnetic coupling from the windings associated with thesecondary pole of the 3-phase motor windings (e.g., to A2, to B2, and toC2) and also to provide the respective drive signal to those respectivewindings of the motor (e.g., to A2, to B2, and to C2).

This second group of Hall effect sensors 7810 that is configured tomonitor and sense the electromagnetic coupling from the windingsassociated with the secondary pole of the 3-phase motor windings (e.g.,to A2, to B2, and to C2) and also to provide the respective drive signalto those respective windings of the motor (e.g., to A2, to B2, and toC2) is also in communication with the one or more processing modules 42.Note that the connectivity and configuration of this second group ofHall effect sensors 7810 may be implemented in any manner as describedhere and such as via one or more DSCs.

This diagram shows an implementation in which monitoring and sensing andregulation of the drive signals provided to both the first and secondpoles of a 2-pole, 3-phase induction machine (e.g., a motor in thisexample) may be performed. In alternative examples, note that one ormore DSCs made also be implemented to perform monitoring and sensing ofany of the respective electrical signals within the system (e.g., suchas the signals coming out of the windings associated with Phase A1 in,Phase B1 in, and Phase C1 in of the 2-pole, 3-phase induction machine (amotor in this example) and being provided to the respective Hall effectsensors 7810, the signals associated with the Phase A2 return, Phase B2return, and Phase C2 return, and/or any other signals within thesystem). Such monitoring implemented DSCs may also be implemented Beaconcommunication with the one or more processing modules 42 to provideadditional information to be used by the one or more processing modules42 in directing and controlling the operation of the 2-pole, 3-phaseinduction machine (e.g., a motor in this example).

FIG. 88 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment 8800 ofinduction machine control using Hall effect sensor adapted drivercircuit in accordance with the present invention. This diagram has somesimilarities to the previous diagram with at least one difference beingthat the output signals from the windings associated with Phase A1 in,Phase B1 in, and Phase C1 in of the 2-pole, 3-phase induction machine (amotor in this example) are provided to a second group of DSCs 28 thatare also in communication with the one or more processing modules 42. Insome examples, the output signals from these windings are provided topower source circuits of this second group of DSCs 28.

FIG. 89 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a method8900 for execution by one or more devices in accordance with the presentinvention. The method 8900 operates in step 8910 by operating one ormore processing modules for communicating with and controlling DSCsimplemented to provide input signals to stator windings of a motor viaHall effect sensors.

The method 8900 operates in step 8920 by operating a first DSC forproviding a first drive/sense signal to a first Hall effect sensor thatis implemented to output a first input signal to first stator windingsof the motor and that is also implemented to detect electromagneticcoupling from the first stator windings of the motor. The method 8900also operates in step 8930 by operating by receiving, by the one or moreprocessing modules, information from the first DSC regarding any changeof any electrical characteristic associated with the first drive/sensesignal. The method 8900 also operates in step 8940 by regulating thefirst input signal provided via the output of the first Hall effectsensor by monitoring the electromagnetic field generated by the firststator windings of the motor.

Note that the method 8900 will also include one or more additional stepof operating one or more additional instantiations of one or moreadditional DSC providing one or more additional drive/sense signals viaone or more additional Hall effect sensor to provide one or moreadditional input signals for motors having additional stator windings(e.g., three instantiations for a 3-phase motor).

For example, considering a motor having at least second stator windings,the method 8900 operates in step 8950 by operating a second DSC forproviding a second drive/sense signal to a second Hall effect sensorthat is implemented to output a second input signal to second statorwindings of the motor and that is also implemented to detectelectromagnetic coupling from the second stator windings of the motor.The method 8900 also operates in step 8960 by operating by receiving, bythe one or more processing modules, information from the second DSCregarding any change of any electrical characteristic associated withthe second drive/sense signal. The method 8900 also operates in step8970 by regulating the second input signal provided via the output ofthe second Hall effect sensor by monitoring the electromagnetic fieldgenerated by the second stator windings of the motor.

The method 8900 continues in step 8980 by operating one or moreprocessing modules for processing the information provided from thefirst DSC and the second DSC for determining whether any adaptation tothe operation of the motor is needed. Based on an unfavorable comparisonof the information provided from the first DSC and the second DSC to oneor more operational criteria in step 8990, the one or more processingmodules operates by adapting the operation of the DSCs implemented toprovide the input signals to stator windings of the motor in step 8995.Some examples of unfavorable comparison of the information to one ormore operational criteria may include any one or more of a differentialof phase between two of the input signals being provided to the motorbeing outside of recommended or acceptable range, the Hall voltagedetected via one of the drive/sense signals being outside of arecommended or acceptable range to facilitate proper operation of themotor, etc.

Some examples of adapting the operation of the DSCs implemented toprovide the input signals to stator windings of the motor may includedirecting one or more of the DSCs to perform any one or more ofadjustment of the magnitude or amplitude of the voltage and/or currentof the signals being provided to the one or more Hall effect sensors,modification of the phase of the signals being provided to the one ormore Hall effect sensors (e.g., advance or delay), filtering (e.g., lowpass filtering, bandpass filtering, high pass filtering, and/or anycombination thereof), reduction or removal of one or more effects on thesignals being provided to the one or more Hall effect sensors (e.g.,noise, interference, undesired harmonics, glitches, etc.).

Alternatively, based on a favorable comparison of the informationprovided from the first DSC and the second DSC to one or moreoperational criteria in step 8990, the method 8900 ends or continuessuch as by looping back and performing the operational steps 8930 and8960 and continuing to perform the method 8900.

It is noted that terminologies as may be used herein such as bit stream,stream, signal sequence, etc. (or their equivalents) have been usedinterchangeably to describe digital information whose contentcorresponds to any of a number of desired types (e.g., data, video,speech, text, graphics, audio, etc. any of which may generally bereferred to as ‘data’).

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provide an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding term and/orrelativity between items. For some industries, an industry-acceptedtolerance is less than one percent and, for other industries, theindustry-accepted tolerance is 10 percent or more. Other examples ofindustry-accepted tolerance range from less than one percent to fiftypercent. Industry-accepted tolerances correspond to, but are not limitedto, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperaturevariations, rise and fall times, thermal noise, dimensions, signalingerrors, dropped packets, temperatures, pressures, material compositions,and/or performance metrics. Within an industry, tolerance variances ofaccepted tolerances may be more or less than a percentage level (e.g.,dimension tolerance of less than +/−1%). Some relativity between itemsmay range from a difference of less than a percentage level to a fewpercent. Other relativity between items may range from a difference of afew percent to magnitude of differences.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “configured to”, “operablycoupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includes direct couplingbetween items and/or indirect coupling between items via an interveningitem (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, anelement, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for an example of indirectcoupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of asignal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or powerlevel. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where oneelement is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct andindirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”.

As may even further be used herein, the term “configured to”, “operableto”, “coupled to”, or “operably coupled to” indicates that an itemincludes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s), etc., toperform, when activated, one or more its corresponding functions and mayfurther include inferred coupling to one or more other items. As maystill further be used herein, the term “associated with”, includesdirect and/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item beingembedded within another item.

As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicates that acomparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desiredrelationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may beachieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1. As maybe used herein, the term “compares unfavorably”, indicates that acomparison between two or more items, signals, etc., fails to providethe desired relationship.

As may be used herein, one or more claims may include, in a specificform of this generic form, the phrase “at least one of a, b, and c” orof this generic form “at least one of a, b, or c”, with more or lesselements than “a”, “b”, and “c”. In either phrasing, the phrases are tobe interpreted identically. In particular, “at least one of a, b, and c”is equivalent to “at least one of a, b, or c” and shall mean a, b,and/or c. As an example, it means: “a” only, “b” only, “c” only, “a” and“b”, “a” and “c”, “b” and “c”, and/or “a”, “b”, and “c”.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “processingcircuit”, “processor”, “processing circuitry”, and/or “processing unit”may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices.Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller,digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of thecircuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module,module, processing circuit, processing circuitry, and/or processing unitmay be, or further include, memory and/or an integrated memory element,which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices,and/or embedded circuitry of another processing module, module,processing circuit, processing circuitry, and/or processing unit. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information.Note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit,processing circuitry, and/or processing unit includes more than oneprocessing device, the processing devices may be centrally located(e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless busstructure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing viaindirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network).Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit,processing circuitry and/or processing unit implements one or more ofits functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing thecorresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, orexternal to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further notethat, the memory element may store, and the processing module, module,processing circuit, processing circuitry and/or processing unitexecutes, hard coded and/or operational instructions corresponding to atleast some of the steps and/or functions illustrated in one or more ofthe Figures. Such a memory device or memory element can be included inan article of manufacture.

One or more embodiments have been described above with the aid of methodsteps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claims. Further, the boundariesof these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined forconvenience of description. Alternate boundaries could be defined aslong as the certain significant functions are appropriately performed.Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily definedherein to illustrate certain significant functionality.

To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence couldhave been defined otherwise and still perform the certain significantfunctionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional buildingblocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scopeand spirit of the claims One of average skill in the art will alsorecognize that the functional building blocks, and other illustrativeblocks, modules and components herein, can be implemented as illustratedor by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits,processors executing appropriate software and the like or anycombination thereof.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with one or more other routines. In addition, a flow diagrammay include an “end” and/or “continue” indication. The “end” and/or“continue” indications reflect that the steps presented can end asdescribed and shown or optionally be incorporated in or otherwise usedin conjunction with one or more other routines. In this context, “start”indicates the beginning of the first step presented and may be precededby other activities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue”indication reflects that the steps presented may be performed multipletimes and/or may be succeeded by other activities not specificallyshown. Further, while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering ofsteps, other orderings are likewise possible provided that theprinciples of causality are maintained.

The one or more embodiments are used herein to illustrate one or moreaspects, one or more features, one or more concepts, and/or one or moreexamples. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, an article ofmanufacture, a machine, and/or of a process may include one or more ofthe aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described with referenceto one or more of the embodiments discussed herein. Further, from figureto figure, the embodiments may incorporate the same or similarly namedfunctions, steps, modules, etc. that may use the same or differentreference numbers and, as such, the functions, steps, modules, etc. maybe the same or similar functions, steps, modules, etc. or differentones.

Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from, and/orbetween elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein maybe analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-endedor differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as asingle-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path.Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it alsorepresents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particulararchitectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise beimplemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, directconnectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between otherelements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.

The term “module” is used in the description of one or more of theembodiments. A module implements one or more functions via a device suchas a processor or other processing device or other hardware that mayinclude or operate in association with a memory that stores operationalinstructions. A module may operate independently and/or in conjunctionwith software and/or firmware. As also used herein, a module may containone or more sub-modules, each of which may be one or more modules.

As may further be used herein, a computer readable memory includes oneor more memory elements. A memory element may be a separate memorydevice, multiple memory devices, or a set of memory locations within amemory device. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, randomaccess memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory,dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device thatstores digital information. The memory device may be in a form asolid-state memory, a hard drive memory, cloud memory, thumb drive,server memory, computing device memory, and/or other physical medium forstoring digital information.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of theone or more embodiments have been expressly described herein, othercombinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. Thepresent disclosure is not limited by the particular examples disclosedherein and expressly incorporates these other combinations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A prime mover and generator regulation systembased on output signal sensing, the system comprising: a generator,wherein, when enabled, the generator operably coupled and configured togenerate an output electrical power signal; a drive-sense circuit (DSC)operably coupled to the output electrical power signal that is providedfrom the generator, wherein, when enabled, the DSC operably coupled andconfigured to: drive a signal via a single line to a coupling of theoutput electrical power signal and also simultaneously to sense thesignal via the single line including to detect an effect on the signalthat is based on an electrical characteristic of the output electricalpower signal; and generate a digital signal representative of theelectrical characteristic of the output electrical power signal; aregulator operably coupled to the generator, wherein, when enabled, theregulator configured to adapt and direct operation of the generatorbased on control signaling from one or more processing modules; memorythat stores operational instructions; and the one or more processingmodules operably coupled to the DSC, the memory, and the regulator,wherein, when enabled, the one or more processing modules is configuredto execute the operational instructions to generate the controlsignaling to be used by the regulator based on the digital signalrepresentative of the electrical characteristic of the output electricalpower signal from the DSC.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein, whenenabled, the one or more processing modules is further configured toexecute the operational instructions to receive the digital signalrepresentative of the electrical characteristic of the output electricalpower signal from the DSC; process the digital signal to determineinformation regarding the output electrical power signal; and generatethe control signaling to be used by the regulator based on theinformation regarding the output electrical power signal.
 3. The systemof claim 1, wherein, when enabled, the one or more processing modules isconfigured to execute the operational instructions to: receive thedigital signal representative of the electrical characteristic of theoutput electrical power signal from the DSC; process the digital signalto determine information regarding the output electrical power signal;based on the information regarding the output electrical power signal,determine whether to perform adaptation of the generator via theregulator; and based on a determination to perform adaptation of thegenerator via the regulator, identify one or more adaptation operationsto be performed on the generator via the regulator and direct theregulator to perform the one or more adaptation operations to thegenerator.
 4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a mechanicalenergy source operably coupled to the generator, wherein, when enabled,the mechanical energy source configured to facilitate operation of thegenerator to generate the output electrical power signal.
 5. The systemof claim 4 further comprising: another regulator operably coupled to themechanical energy source, wherein, when enabled, the another regulatorconfigured to adapt and direct operation of the generator based on othercontrol signaling from one or more processing modules; memory thatstores operational instructions; and the one or more processing modulesalso operably coupled to the another regulator, wherein, when enabled,the one or more processing modules is configured to execute theoperational instructions to generate the control signaling to be used bythe another regulator based on the digital signal representative of theelectrical characteristic of the output electrical power signal from theDSC.
 6. The system of claim 5 further comprising: a sensor operablycoupled to the one or more processing modules via another DSC andimplemented to monitor at least one analog feature associated with themechanical energy source, wherein, when enabled, the another DSCconfigured to: drive and simultaneously to sense the sensor via anothersingle line; generate another digital signal representative of a sensedanalog feature to which the sensor is exposed; and transmit the anotherdigital signal to the one or more processing modules; and the one ormore processing modules, when enabled, further configured to execute theoperational instructions to generate the control signaling to be used bythe another regulator based on the digital signal representative of theelectrical characteristic of the output electrical power signal from theDSC and also the another digital signal representative of the sensedanalog feature to which the sensor is exposed.
 7. The system of claim 4further comprising: another regulator operably coupled to the mechanicalenergy source, wherein, when enabled, the another regulator configuredto adapt and direct operation of the mechanical energy source based onother control signaling from the one or more processing modules; andwherein, when enabled, the one or more processing modules is configuredto execute the operational instructions to: receive the digital signalrepresentative of the electrical characteristic of the output electricalpower signal from the DSC; process the digital signal to determineinformation regarding the output electrical power signal; based on theinformation regarding the output electrical power signal, determinewhether to perform adaptation of the mechanical energy source via theanother regulator; and based on another determination to performadaptation of the mechanical energy source via the another regulator,identify one or more adaptation operations to be performed on themechanical energy source via the another regulator and direct theanother regulator to perform the one or more adaptation operations tothe mechanical energy source.
 8. The system of claim 1 furthercomprising: a load operably coupled to the generator and configured tooperate based on the output electrical power signal.
 9. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the load includes a motor, a factory assemblymachinery, a drill, a pump, a compressor, a turbine, or a fan.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1 further comprising: a coupler that is operably coupledbetween the DSC and the coupling of the output electrical power signal,wherein the coupler is configured to perform one or more of scaling,division, or electrical isolation of the output electrical power signalfrom the DSC as the DSC is configured to sense the signal via the singleline including to detect the effect on the signal that is based on theelectrical characteristic of the output electrical power signal.
 11. Thesystem of claim 1 further comprising: a sensor operably coupled to theone or more processing modules via another DSC and implemented tomonitor at least one analog feature associated with the generator,wherein, when enabled, the another DSC is configured to: drive andsimultaneously to sense the sensor via another single line; generateanother digital signal representative of a sensed analog feature towhich the sensor is exposed; and transmit the another digital signal tothe one or more processing modules; and the one or more processingmodules, when enabled, are further configured to execute the operationalinstructions to generate the control signaling to be used by theregulator based on the digital signal representative of the electricalcharacteristic of the output electrical power signal from the DSC andalso the another digital signal representative of the sensed analogfeature to which the sensor is exposed.
 12. The system of claim 1,wherein the DSC further comprises: a power source circuit operablycoupled to the single line, wherein, when enabled, the power sourcecircuit is configured to provide the signal via the single line to thecoupling to the output electrical power signal, and wherein the signalincludes at least one of a DC (direct current) component and anoscillating component; and a power source change detection circuitoperably coupled to the power source circuit, wherein, when enabled, thepower source change detection circuit is configured to: detect theeffect on the signal that is based on the electrical characteristic ofthe output electrical power signal; and generate the digital signalrepresentative of the electrical characteristic of the output electricalpower signal.
 13. The system of claim 12 further comprising: the powersource circuit including a power source to source at least one of avoltage or a current to the output electrical power signal via thesingle line; and the power source change detection circuit including: apower source reference circuit configured to provide at least one of avoltage reference or a current reference; and a comparator configured tocompare the at least one of the voltage or the current provided to thecoupling of the output electrical power signal to at least one of thevoltage reference or the current reference in accordance with producingthe digital signal representative of the electrical characteristic ofthe output electrical power signal.
 14. A method for execution within aprime mover and generator regulation system based on output signalsensing, the method comprising: operating a generator to generate anoutput electrical power signal; operating a drive-sense circuit (DSC)that is operably coupled to the output electrical power signal that isprovided from the generator for: driving a signal via a single line to acoupling of the output electrical power signal and also simultaneouslysensing the signal via the single line including detecting an effect onthe signal that is based on an electrical characteristic of the outputelectrical power signal; and generating a digital signal representativeof the electrical characteristic of the output electrical power signal;operating a regulator that operably coupled to the generator to adaptand direct operation of the generator based on control signaling;generate the control signaling to be used by the regulator based on thedigital signal representative of the electrical characteristic of theoutput electrical power signal from the DSC.
 15. The method of claim 14further comprising: processing the digital signal to determineinformation regarding the output electrical power signal; and generatingthe control signaling to be used by the regulator based on theinformation regarding the output electrical power signal.
 16. The methodof claim 14 further comprising: operating a mechanical energy sourcethat is operably coupled to the generator to facilitate operation of thegenerator to generate the output electrical power signal.
 17. The methodof claim 16 further comprising: processing the digital signal todetermine information regarding the output electrical power signal;operating another regulator operably coupled to the mechanical energysource to adapt and direct operation of the mechanical energy sourcebased on other control signaling; and generating the other controlsignaling to be used by the another regulator based on the informationregarding the output electrical power signal.
 18. The method of claim 14further comprising: operating a sensor operably coupled via another DSCand implemented to monitor at least one analog feature associated withthe generator for: driving and simultaneously sensing the sensor viaanother single line; and generating another digital signalrepresentative of a sensed analog feature to which the sensor isexposed; and processing the another digital signal to determine otherinformation regarding the generator; and generate the control signalingto be used by the regulator based on the digital signal representativeof the electrical characteristic of the output electrical power signalfrom the DSC and also the another digital signal representative of thesensed analog feature to which the sensor is exposed.
 19. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the DSC further comprises: a power source circuitoperably coupled to the single line, wherein, when enabled, the powersource circuit is configured to provide the signal via the single lineto the coupling to the output electrical power signal, and wherein thesignal includes at least one of a DC (direct current) component and anoscillating component; and a power source change detection circuitoperably coupled to the power source circuit, wherein, when enabled, thepower source change detection circuit is configured to: detect theeffect on the signal that is based on the electrical characteristic ofthe output electrical power signal; and generate the digital signalrepresentative of the electrical characteristic of the output electricalpower signal.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising: the powersource circuit including a power source to source at least one of avoltage or a current to the output electrical power signal via thesingle line; and the power source change detection circuit including: apower source reference circuit configured to provide at least one of avoltage reference or a current reference; and a comparator configured tocompare the at least one of the voltage or the current provided to thecoupling of the output electrical power signal to at least one of thevoltage reference or the current reference in accordance with producingthe digital signal representative of the electrical characteristic ofthe output electrical power signal.